SE Minnesota News

It has been a week since the shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, where two children were killed and several others injured. The gunman was described as mentally unstable and transgender. According to a manifesto reviewed after the incident, the attack was motivated by hate against Christians.

In response, Democratic lawmakers have called for stricter gun control measures, including a ban on assault weapons. Governor Walz has also urged legislative action following the tragedy.

Rep. Steven Jacob questioned these calls, pointing out that Democrats previously held majorities in both legislative chambers and the governor's office. He noted that during that period, they passed several gun-related laws such as an extreme risk protection order—commonly known as a red flag law—which allows authorities to restrict firearm access if someone is deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Despite these laws being in place, Rep. Jacob highlighted that no intervention occurred with the shooter before he purchased three firearms. Media reports indicate that the shooter expressed extremist views and violent intentions as early as seventh grade. His journal reportedly stated: “I feel like my mom would have seen it coming due to my rocky past with violent threats.”

Rep. Jacob criticized what he sees as political maneuvering around gun legislation: “Yet Governor Walz says Republicans now need to take some difficult votes on gun laws? Tell me this isn’t a political stunt without saying this is a political stunt.”

He also pointed out procedural limitations regarding special legislative sessions: “Everyone should remember that while a governor can call for a special session, he does not control the session agenda, and he cannot end the special session. Meanwhile, there is not a Republican or Democrat majority that can pass legislation on its own in either legislative body right now, meaning bipartisan cooperation will be mandatory for anything to be approved if a session is called.”

Referencing Illinois' experience with an assault weapons ban—the Protect Illinois Communities Act—he noted continued high rates of gun violence in Chicago despite strict regulations.

Rep. Jacob argued for focusing on mental health rather than additional gun restrictions: “Can we all agree that no sane person would ever commit these crimes? If the Illinois assault weapon law proves anything, its that if a crazy person wants to kill people and you take away one tool to do so, they will find another... Do we care about addressing the true problem here – a mental illness crisis – or are we just trying to appease the leftists that want to ban guns?”

He stated his belief that red flag laws and bans are ineffective: “Red flag laws didn’t work. ‘Gun-free zone’ signs are as worthless as the paper they’re printed on. And banning certain weapons or magazines won’t work either.”

House Republicans recently proposed several measures aimed at increasing safety in schools and communities if a special session occurs. These include expanding school safety funding to non-public schools, providing School Resource Officers for every school, increasing funding for mental health treatment beds, and instituting mandatory minimum sentences for repeat gun offenders and those who facilitate illegal firearm purchases.

“If the governor calls a special session, these items should be near the top of the agenda,” Rep. Jacob said. “But I fear the governor is just trying to score political points and is not truly interested in addressing what is the real cause of these horrific actions: untreated mental illness.”