Dear Neighbor,
There is a proven solution to gun violence and school safety that was introduced in Minnesota back in 2023, yet Democrats continue blocking it because the politics of gun control are more valuable to them politically than actually solving the problem.
As we saw during the chaotic final week of session, Democrats aggressively pushed gun control proposals, even staging protests and a sit-in on the House floor after failing to force one of their bills to a vote. There was no shortage of drama surrounding the issue. But what deserves more attention is a story that reveals just how disingenuous Democrats have been when it comes to gun violence, school safety, and even protecting children.
Since 2023, Republicans have repeatedly tried to advance a school safety bill centered around the use of advanced security technology in schools. One of the systems highlighted during debate was developed by Minnesota-based 3D Response Systems, a company founded by police officers, firefighters, educators, and parents. The system is designed to make schools effectively unassailable during an active threat situation.
At the push of a button, classrooms automatically lock down with powerful magnetic door systems, alerts are sent directly to law enforcement dispatch, and communication tools help teachers and responding officers track the threat in real time. Hidden ballistic panels can be deployed for cover, and the system helps first responders move quickly and efficiently to the exact location of danger. The concept builds on the traditional “run, hide, fight” active shooter model by adding cover, concealment, and communication.
This technology could dramatically improve school safety while remaining almost entirely invisible during normal school operations. It has already been installed in Lakeville schools, where district leaders made school security a priority after voters approved a levy and bond referendum in 2019.
So why isn’t this safety technology in every school? After all, that 2023 legislation had bipartisan co-authors in both chambers and even initially received support from local members of groups associated with gun control advocacy.
The reason is because support from the Left disappeared once partisan politics entered the conversation. Democrats are more interested in advancing gun-control narratives and establishing false, politically tainted dilemmas than considering alternative school safety solutions. They’ve reduced our possible solutions down to, “turn over your guns or you want kids to die.” Those are the only two options they present, as if there couldn’t possibly be any other solutions such as actually holding gun criminals accountable.
What’s the benign and innocent explanation? Well, of course, there is none. The sad reality is we have people in our institutions, elected officials, members of the media, folks in unions and support organizations who don’t actually care that much about the people they claim to care about. What they care about is their own control, their own power, and their own financial well-being. And they found a way to seek those things under the cover of being benevolent, compassionate and caring.
And, yet, they try to portray those of us who actually want to solve safety problems as somehow being vile or despicable or only offering thoughts and prayers. It’s both intellectually dishonest and disgusting.
If protecting children is truly the top priority, then lawmakers should be willing to consider any serious proposal that could save lives, regardless of political branding or ideology. For nearly four years, Republicans have continued pressing for broader adoption of these systems in Minnesota schools, trying to focus less on political messaging and more on practical ways to keep children safe.
School security technology should not become a casualty of partisan politics but that’s where we are because Democrats think they can use this issue to score political points. I know people want to believe that the world is a better place than that, but I’m telling you, from a front row seat, it’s not. Democrats had full control of the Capitol in 2023-24 and literally could have done anything they wanted to improve school safety without having to bother seeking Republican support. Instead, the former trifecta failed to act and now is using this issue to pick a political fight.
Doesn’t that just say it all?
Sincerely,
Walter