Minnesota gun law history
1975: Passage of the Minnesota Gun Control Act, supported by Attorney General Warren Spannaus, creating waiting period and background checks for handgun purchases.
1982: "Dump Spannaus" movement by NRA blamed for his defeat in DFL gubernatorial primary.
1985: Legislature forbids cities from having stronger gun laws than the state.
Early 1990s: Unsuccessful attempts to ban assault weapons; these firearms become subject to same background checks as handguns.
1994, 1998, 2002: Gun control-supporting DFL gubernatorial candidates Tony Bouza, Hubert Humphrey III and Roger Moe are defeated.
1996-2003: Debate leading to passage of NRA-supported concealed weapons law, expanding access to law-abiding adults. (Law invalidated in court and re-passed by Legislature in 2005.)
2011: Legislature passes NRA-supported bill to expand definition of self-defense; Gov. Dayton vetoes it.
2013: In wake of Newtown, Conn., school shootings, DFL-controlled Legislature expected to look at ways to reduce gun violence.
about the writer
Our mission this election cycle is to provide the facts and context you need. Here’s how we’ll do that.
