ST. PAUL, Minn. – A gun control bill recently introduced at the Capitol has been called the worst gun control bill in years, and several Democrats are already bailing on the measure.
State Rep. Erin Maye Quade (D-Apple Valley) was originally listed as a co-author on the gun control bill HF3022. However, just days after the bill was introduced, Maye Quade’s name was suspiciously removed from the legislation.
According to Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, a constituent reached out to Maye Quade to express disapproval of the proposed legislation. Maye Quade responded by passing the blame, saying her inclusion on the bill was a “clerical error” that the Chief Clerk’s office would be correcting.
Rob Doar, Political Director of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, was skeptical of Maye Quade’s disassociation with the bill, calling her one of the “most staunchly anti-gun members” of the Minnesota House of Representatives. In a Facebook Live video, Doar went to the Chief Clerk’s office to see if Maye Quade did indeed sign the bill jacket. The video reveals Maye Quade’s signature among the other co-authors.
“I find that particularly troubling that a member is being dishonest with their constituents and also being dishonest with the actions of the Chief Clerk’s office,” Doar says in the video.
Alpha News reached out to Doar following the video and he further confirmed Maye Quade’s original inclusion on the bill. While Maye Quade’s reasons for removing herself from the bill are unknown, Doar ensures the Chief Clerk’s office was not at fault.
“She did in fact sign both copies,” Doar confirmed. “I think what probably happened here is all these authors got on thinking they were addressing gun issues, but I think received tremendous push back from people even in their own party that this bill goes way too far. It’s far too extreme.”
“I don’t think she wanted to acknowledge that she doesn’t support gun control measures,” Doar added.
Maye Quade is not the only legislator to bail on the bill. Several other co-authors have also removed their names from the controversial legislation. The bill includes a ban on all “assault weapons” as well as bump stocks and large capacity magazines. The expansive gun control bill includes a ban all assault weapons and large capacity magazines, require complete registration of all firearms, prohibit anybody owing child support from possessing firearms, and require annual in-home inspections of firearm storage, among other restrictions. Doar considers the bill the “most extreme” gun control bill ever introduced in American politics.
“This bill is the most extreme anti-gun bill that I’ve seen in my time in politics. And that’s not just in Minnesota, that’s in any state,” Doar said.
Whatever Maye Quade’s reasons are for no longer supporting the legislation, Doar said her failure to honestly address her change in position is what is most concerning.
“Only she can reveal her motivations, but it’s certainly clear she wasn’t honest,” Doar said. “And that’s what’s most concerning.”
Alpha News reached out to Maye Quade’s office for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Watch Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus video below:
