st. Paul Enacts Assault Weapon Ban, Faces Immediate Legal Challenge
ST. PAUL, MN – The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday passed a sweeping ordinance banning assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and “ghost guns,” while also restricting firearms in sensitive public spaces. The move comes as the city anticipates potential changes to state preemption laws, but was promptly met with a lawsuit from gun rights groups.
Mayor Melvin Carter hailed the ordinance as a crucial step towards public safety. “Saint Paul stands ready to act on day one when the state lifts preemption,” Carter said. “This ordinance represents a collective effort by local leaders taking a long-overdue step to protect our children, families, and neighbors. Too many have suffered the unimaginable while others debated. ItS time for state leaders to meet us in this moment of urgency and safeguard the future our children deserve.”
The ordinance, which cannot take effect until state preemption laws are lifted, outlines five key provisions:
* A ban on the possession of assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and binary triggers within city limits.
* A prohibition of untraceable “ghost guns” by requiring all firearms to have serial numbers.
* Restrictions on firearms in sensitive public spaces, including parks, libraries, recreation centers, and city buildings.
* mandatory signage in public facilities to inform residents of the restrictions.
* Defined enforcement authority and penalties, contingent on the state repealing or amending preemption law.
The ordinance includes exemptions for active-duty law enforcement and military personnel, licensed federal firearms curators, and individuals transporting firearms through the city, provided the guns are unloaded, locked, and safely stored.
St. Paul is the first city in a coalition of Minnesota elected officials to formally enact legislation of this kind.
However, just hours after the ordinance passed, the minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center filed a lawsuit challenging its legality. The groups argue the measure violates state law, which currently prevents cities from enacting their own firearm restrictions.
“Our members are harmed as the city is doing something that they don’t have the authority to do,” said Rob Doar,president of the Gun Owners Law Center and general counsel for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. “Local units of government only have the legislative authority that the state constitution and state statutes give them.”
Mayor Carter responded to the lawsuit, stating, “We said from the beginning that state law bars us from enforcing basic provisions like requiring every gun to have a serial number. The only thing more absurd is the MN Gun Owners Caucus suing to prove us right.”
City Attorney Lyndsey Olson affirmed the city’s readiness to defend its authority, stating, “The City is ready to defend our authority to prepare for swift public-safety action-while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners-if state preemption is ever lifted.” Olson also noted that “contingent ordinances are a common legal tool” and have not previously been found to violate state firearm preemption law.