On Feb. 18 Representative Cal Bahr (R- East Bethel) Representative Jeremy Munson (R- Lake Crystal), Representative Steve Drazkowski (R- Mazeppa), Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg), Representative Eric Lucero (R-Dayton), Representative John Poston (R- Lake Shore) Representative Steve Green (R- Fosston), and Senator Paul Utke (R- Park Rapids) proposed a constitutional amendment that would state that the right to bear and keep arms shall not be infringed.
Right now, Minnesota is one of 6 states to not include 2nd amendment protections within our constitution. House File 1334 and Senate File 1115 aim to change that. “This is something we can do proactively moving forward to protect” the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms, Rep. Miller states.
“Hoplophobia, the fear of firearms, born of widespread unfamiliarity with them is driving good people to propose policy changes that can only result in bad outcomes.” Rep. Drazkowski says. Some proposed policy changes in the Minnesota legislature this session include Red Flag laws and universal background checks. He adds that it’s a “false and empty notion that the government will somehow prevent violent people from carrying out their violence by disarming nonviolent people.”
The representatives present at the New House Republican Caucus press conference reflected on their constituents fear that this “right of theirs is under threat both at the state and federal level” as Rep. Miller expressed. The freedom to bear arms is “a freedom that guarantees the rest of our freedoms” Rep. Drazkowski said.
Bringing this constitutional amendment to Minnesota allows Minnesotan courts to evaluate laws that may be overstepping this key amendment to our constitution instead of it having to go all the way through to the US Supreme Court as Rob Doar, Vice President and Political Director of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, articulates.
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Megan Olson
Megan Olson is a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in political science and history. She works in public affairs in addition to serving on the Legislative Advisory Council for School District 196. She is also on the school board for FIT academy, a charter school in Apple Valley.
