Gov. Walz signs 2 executive orders to address gun violence in Minnesota

Gov. Walz signs executive orders addressing gun violence [FULL]

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs executive orders addressing gun violence [FULL]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday signed two executive orders in efforts to reduce gun violence and improve public safety across the state.

He introduced the executive orders at a Tuesday news conference. We also heard from Attorney General Keith Ellison, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, Annunciation Church and School parent Kristin Newell and Maggiy Emery from Protect Minnesota, among others.

Gov. Walz demands action on gun violence in Minnesota

Gov. Tim Walz signed two executive orders on Tuesday to address gun violence in Minnesota in the aftermath of the June 14 shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, and the Aug. 27 mass shooting at Annunciation church.

What are the executive orders?

What we know:

Gov. Walz signed executive orders 25-12 and 25-13 into effect. Here's a look at what they will do:

• Establish a Statewide Safety Council that will bring together leaders from across the state to develop a blueprint to prevent mass violence, domestic terrorism and politically-motivated attacks. The council will make policy and funding recommendations to Gov. Walz.
• The Minnesota Department of Commerce will work with insurers to collect and analyze firearm-related claims to get a clear impact of guns on society, and to hold gun manufacturers accountable.
• Extreme Risk Protection Orders will be expanded to prevent individuals in crisis from getting access to firearms.
• State officials will work to provide resources to gun owners on Safe Storage Education, to prevent accidental shootings due to unlocked or improperly stored guns.

The political divide

Why you should care:

Gov. Walz has been adamant about convening the Minnesota Legislature for a special session on gun control. That's in the aftermath of the June 14 shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, leaving Melissa and Mark Hortman dead. Also on Aug. 27, two students were killed and 29 others were wounded in a mass shooting at Annnunciation Church and School in Minneapolis.

Public Safety Commissioner weighs in on gun laws

Bob Jacobson, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, spoke Tuesday as Governor Tim Walz signed two executive orders to address gun violence in Minnesota. 

Last week, Walz said he would be taking "incredibly aggressive executive actions" on gun control legislation in response to the "stonewalling" on the issue. 

Democratic leaders want a ban on assault rifles, while Republicans don't want restrictions on responsible gun owners. To this point, Walz has been unable to get any GOP lawmakers to vote on approving a special session if gun legislation is involved.

"We’re all victims of gun violence now. Enough is enough, there’s too damn many guns and the wrong types of guns on the street. I don’t want to hear how do you describe an assault weapon? I damn sure can assign what it is, unfortunately we have a whole bunch of parents who know a lot more about what these weapons were meant to do," Walz said. "It’s time to start reporting that that is all bull****. To stand here and have to look in the eyes of parents who lost little ones, shame on them and shame on us if we don’t get this done… I don’t understand why this is so difficult to understand. This could move forward when you have 100+ Republicans, we’re just asking for one to step forward and do the right thing on this."

Annunciation parent: 'Aug. 27 is not something that we’ll ever be over'

Annunciation parent Kristin Newell spoke Tuesday about her five children being in the church on Aug. 27 when a gunman opened fire. Gov. Tim Walz signed two executive orders to address gun violence in Minnesota.

Annunciation parent speaks

What they're saying:

Kristin Newell is a mother of five children who were all inside Annunication Church on Aug. 27 during the mass shooting. She said Tuesday it's time for action on gun legislation.

"What happened to us on Aug. 27 is not something that we’ll ever be over. The aftermath is still incredibly raw. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. Protecting Minnesotans from gun violence isn’t about blame, it’s about accountability," Newell said. "Addressing gun violence is not a partisan issue, but a human one. Our shared goal is simple, it’s to build a future where every child can learn, play and worship without fear."

Emery with Protect Minnesota also spoke at Tuesday's news conference.

"Today we are taking a step, a step towards safety and common sense. Taking a step toward Minnesota where our children can go to school without fear, without the need to protect themselves, where our neighbors can live without tragedy and communities can thrive without the constant shadow of gun violence," Emery said. "Today Minnesota is choosing action over despair."

Demuth slams Walz for ‘press conference lies’

The other side:

In response to Governor Walz's statement that the Speaker of the House is the "only one standing in the way of a vote" on his preferred gun ban, House Speaker Lisa Demuth released the following statement on Tuesday:

"Once the Governor saw that even his own legislators weren’t on board with his gun bans, he pivoted to political rallies and insulting Republicans for suggesting bipartisan ways to keep students safe. Now, he’s pushing an advisory council and PSA campaigns for laws we already have. He still refuses to even give details on what he actually wants to ban – instead, he’d rather mock the people who want to know what his bill says. The ban was never actually the goal – the talking point is. If the Governor wants a special session, he should call one. Shame on the Governor for politicizing tragedy, and shame on him for ignoring bipartisan safety solutions in favor of mockery and lies."