Minnesota mothers rally at state Capitol for gun control measures

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - In the wake of yet another devastating school shooting, one group of Minnesota mothers is organizing in an attempt to finally generate the change they've sought for years now. 

Even before last week's shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense was planning a rally at the state Capitol Tuesday morning. Since the deadly event, hundreds of people have told organizers they plan on attending. 

“I’m furious. I’m ready for our leaders to take action,” Moms Demand Action Minnesota chapter leader Erin Zamoff said. “People are reaching out to us because they can put themselves in the shoes of those parents and they hear the pain and they want to do something to help.”

Along with the rally, attendees hope to greet legislators with a petition urging them to vote against any pending legislation relating to firearms, such as stand your ground laws and loosening regulations governing gun permits. 

The group points to two bills introduced last year by state Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, as examples of legislation they'd like to see passed, including measures to institute a universal background check for anyone purchasing a firearm and a system to implement gun violence protective orders. 

The rally starts Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., with parents urging everyone--Republicans, Democrats, Independents--to attend and make their voices heard.