Legislator says Mall of America cannot ban guns

Representative Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center), chair of the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives, repeated his statements from yesterday that the Mall of America cannot ban individuals with a permit to carry a handgun in public from the mall.

The signs at the Mall of America informing visitors the mall "bans guns" have received additional attention since a Somali terrorist group mentioned the Mall of America as a potential target in a recent video.

Last evening, Cornish called the signs at the Mall of America "completely worthless" adding, "they have no standing." Cornish said the signs create a "killing zone" at the Mall of America.

Cornish said the legislative intent of the law allowing individuals with a permit to carry a handgun in public was included ensuring malls could not ban permit holders from carrying a handgun at a mall.

Staff at the Mall of America did not respond to a request for comment about their policy on guns.

The Mankato Free Press reported today that River Hills Mall in Mankato allows individuals with a permit to carry a handgun to do so at the mall. But mall staff told Mankato Free Press they wanted the law change to allow the mall to prohibit guns at the mall.