Legislative Update - Addressing Gun Violence

Dear Neighbors, 

After the tragedy at Annunciation, many of you have reached out to discuss the need for action to address gun violence. Since that horrible day, we’ve seen additional school shootings, political violence, and attacks on places of worship throughout our country - all senseless acts of gun violence.

Enough is enough. 

For the last month, conversations have been ongoing at the state capitol over the feasibility of holding a special session to pass legislation that addresses gun violence. I join many of you in wishing we were passing bills right now to do just that, but our narrow legislative divide makes that easier said than done. 

While Governor Walz has the power to call a special session, it’s the Minnesota Legislature that decides the topic and timeframe. With a tied Minnesota House, that means we’ll need some bipartisan buy-in to get anything done. 

For our part in the DFL, we’ve put forward proposals that build off the effective progress of recent years and keep our communities safe:

We need just ONE Republican to join us and decide that the safety of Minnesotans is more important than the gun lobby. But will they? You can see the response from Republican leaders here.

Republicans have put forward their own proposals, some of which have merit but ultimately fall short of what this moment requires. Disgustingly, instead of working on the solutions Minnesotans are asking for, they’re also using this tragedy to push for the re-legalization of harmful conversion therapy. 

So while there may be a wide gulf between proposals, DFLers aren’t giving up. Whether it’s a special session this fall, or when we return for the regular legislative session in February, I will be fighting for the solutions to gun violence that actually make Minnesota safer. 

I’ll continue to push for solutions to be passed in the coming weeks, but even if Republicans continue to drag their feet, it’s an issue they’ll eventually have to face - but we can’t afford to wait until the next tragedy. 

If you have any questions about a potential special session to address gun violence, or any other legislative issues you’d like to discuss, please feel free to reach out! You can contact me at rep.sydney.jordan@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4219. You can also follow along on my legislative Facebook page.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, 

Sydney Jordan

State Representative