Bills that would ban military style assault rifles and high-capacity magazines failed to clear the first hurdle in a Minnesota House Committee this week.
There was emotional and charged testimony prior to the committee vote. Jackie Flavin, mother of Harper Moyski who was killed in last fall’s Annunciation School shooting in Minneapolis, called on lawmakers to rely on their conscience in voting…
“You stepped into public service for a reason. So right now the question in front of you is quite simple. What kind of state are we going to be? One where weapons designed to destroy human bodies at scale are treated like ordinary consumer goods. Or one where protecting children out ranks hobbies or old habits and convenience.”
Brian Gosch from the National Rifle Association said some studies indicate that these types of bans don’t make a difference…
“There was a ten year ban on so-called assault rifles in America. That was from 1994 until 2004. You heard reference to that. They did conclude that did not have an affect of reducing crimes or murders.”
The author of the House bill, Representative Emma Greenman of Minneapolis says lawmakers need to put children ahead of assault weapons…
“We need to listen to the people and to the kids. These kids are so clear. They go out and say choose us, not guns and we have that choice to make. So I’d ask for your vote choosing us and not these weapons made for war.”
Republican Walter Hudson of Albertville commented prior to voting against the bills…
“I gotta say I’m a little sick and tired of hearing the rhetoric that it’s Republicans and not just Republicans but anybody who actually values their Constitutional right to the ability to protect themselves and their families. That we’re the ones who don’t want to take action.”
The vote was along party lines between Republicans and Democrats, so the 10-10 tie means the bill is currently stalled in committee.
(content: courtesy, in part, MNN)
