ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring secure storage of firearms, in a gun safe or with a trigger lock. Mayor Melvin Carter has indicated he’ll sign the ordinance, authored by Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, in the coming days.
The members of the Minnesota Senate St. Paul delegation released the following statement in celebration of the ordinance’s passage:
“We extend heartfelt congratulations to the St. Paul City Council and to Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, whose efforts in shaping and passing mandated safe firearm storage will prevent violence and save countless lives. Councilmember Noecker has crafted an effective and thoughtful policy in collaboration with community members and legal experts, and her care and advocacy will prevent tragedies and violence for years to come.
“This lifesaving vote comes just as the Minnesota Legislature has passed legislation making gun safes tax-exempt. It is easier than ever for gun owners to securely store their firearms; and with that security comes peace of mind, knowing that secure storage will prevent at-risk youth or irresponsible individuals from accessing their firearms. We will never know which child’s life is saved because they could not open a tax-free gun safe.”
The measure making gun safes tax-exempt passed in the Senate’s omnibus tax bill (HF 1938) on May 21. The Senate also passed two gun violence prevention provisions this session, which establish extreme risk protection orders and expand background checks on gun sales or trades (SF 2909).
The members of the Senate St. Paul delegation are Senator Erin Murphy (64), Senator Sandy Pappas (65), Senator Clare Oumou-Verbeten (66), and Senator Foung Hawj (67).
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