May 19 - Historic Gun Safety Measures Into Law

Gov. Tim Walz holds up the signed Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill as Latonya Black holds up the signing pen while legislators, gun control advocates, and survivors of gun violence celebrate the historic signing into law. There are two gun safety measures in the bill for universal background checks and a red flag law.

Gov. Tim Walz tells a packed reception room of legislators, gun control advocates, and survivors of gun violence that, “Today is about taking meaningful action to create a safer future for our kids, and I am proud to sign this commonsense, life-saving legislation into law.”

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords holds the hand of Gwen Walz as they listen to Gov. Tim Walz before the historic signing into law the Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill which contains two Gun Safety Measures .

Sen. Ron Latz said this during the signing ceremony. “Is there ever a right time, if not in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, that identifies for all of us the need for those legislative solutions? Well, here, right now, the time is now.”

Rep. Dave Pinto said this during the signing ceremony, “The signing of these laws is the culmination of years of work, not just for me but for so many Minnesotans who have lost their own family members and friends to gun violence. I am thinking of them today with love and gratitude. Because of them, our state is joining the many others which have already enacted these laws to help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. Because of them, we are finally taking this big step toward a safer Minnesota."

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Rachel Joseph share a moment during the signing of the Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill. Joseph holds a photograph of her Aunt Shelly Joseph-Kadell, the aunt of Rachel Joseph who was a victim of gun violence.

Rep. Cedrick Frazier who grew up evading gun violence on the south side of Chicago said during the signing ceremony, “I had to take this moment to do something”.

Richfield Police Chief Jay Henthorne spoke on behalf of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, saying the gun changes won't prevent all violence but they will help.

Physician Melissa Kennedy was at work on the day Lindsay Overbay was killed by a patient with mental issues but was able to purchase a gun. Kennedy, active in MOMS DEMAND ACTION, said this during the bill signing, "You will continue to see these red shirts show up and be fierce advocates for gun reform.”

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords tells a packed reception room, “Stopping gun violence takes courage. The courage to do what's right”.

Gwen Walz takes a moment with Gabby Giffords as Gov. Tim Walz makes a closing statement before signing the Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill into law.

Gov.Tim Walz signs historic gun safety measures into law, including universal background checks and a red flag law. The red flag provision allows a family or law enforcement to petition a judge to take guns away from someone determined to have mental health issues. Another provision has background checks for gun sales at shows and transfers of guns.