Twin Cities mayors join forces to call for legislative action on gun violence

On the first day back to school for several districts throughout Minnesota, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and other Twin Cities mayors joined Moms Demand Action at the Minnesota State Capitol to call for urgent legislative action to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines- or, if the legislature cannot agree, to lift state preemption laws so cities can enact their own common-sense reforms.

Today's event comes on the heels of Governor Tim Walz's call for a special session of the state legislature. The mayors made it clear that state-level gun reform is the absolute strongest way to make Minnesota safer for everyone - especially children like those victimized in last week's deadly mass shooting at the Church of the Annunciation.

But if state lawmakers can't find agreement on meaningful gun reform, the mayors want the authority to pass their own common-sense reforms in their own cities, which currently is not available and would require a change in state law.

"Time...to step up"

"After the Annunciation shooting, we saw incredible bravery - from first responders, school staff and students themselves," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "They stepped up, and their actions saved kids' lives. Now it's time for elected leaders to step up. If federal and state lawmakers won't act, then give us the tools to do it ourselves. Let Minneapolis ban weapons of war from our streets. We know our communities best - and we're not willing to accept doing nothing."

Mayors from across the metro emphasized that preemption laws tie the hands of local governments at the very moment residents are demanding action. In Minneapolis alone, police say they have taken 12 semi-automatic rifles off the streets so far in 2025.

"It is a source of pride to know we have first responders, EMTs, teachers, parents and community members who will do whatever it takes to keep our children safe. That's what we do in an emergency," said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. "But this emergency did not start last week. All the work that our law enforcement does is limited by a national and statewide policy that enables people to have the type of firearms that caused this damage. We ask of our lawmakers what every child in that school knew to do last week - take action."

Bringing a suburban perspective, Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse noted that gun violence does not stop at Twin Cities borders.

"This isn't a big city problem."

"This isn't a big city problem. This is a Minnesota problem. Our communities are hurting," said Busse. "We ask lawmakers to give cities the opportunities to lead. Cities know how to get things done. We're closest to the people, and we shoulder the responsibility."

Alongside Frey, Carter, and Busse were several Twin Cities-area mayors joining the call, including Hopkins Mayor Patrick Hanlon, Columbia Heights Mayor Amada Marquez Simula, Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski, Richfield Mayor Mary Supple, Minnetonka Mayor Brad Wiersum, and Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer.

Advocates with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America echoed the mayors' demands to lift state preemption so that cities can enact life-saving reforms immediately.

"Local leaders must have the authority to protect their own communities. It's not just good policy; it's a lifeline," said Kathleen Anderson, the Minnesota chapter leader for Moms Demand Action. "These guns are designed to kill as quickly as possible, leaving children, adults, and law enforcement no chance to escape. We cannot wait. Every day without action is another day where a weapon of war is carried into another classroom. Our kids deserve to come home every day."

Watch the news conference.

Supporting students and families

Officials say donating money is the best way for members of the community to support the victims of the shooting. The Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund is organized by the Catholic Community Foundation with support from the Minneapolis Foundation. The public can donate by texting ACF1 to 41444. The donations will be equitably distributed to those affected.