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Democratic lawmakers plan to continue changing Minnesota’s approach to crime and punishment this year after approving a major overhaul last year.
They’re expected to consider legislation that would eliminate a mandatory five-year sentence for felony gun possession; lengthen the window for appealing certain criminal convictions; ban traffic stops for minor offenses; open up more police disciplinary records; and prohibit law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities except under limited conditions.
They may also consider ending cash bail.
Rep. Kelly Moller, DFL-Shoreview, who is chair of the House public safety committee, also told nonprofit news outlet The Trace that some of Gov. Tim Walz’s gun safety proposals will likely be back on the table, such as raising the age to buy semiautomatic rifles; limiting magazine capacity; a safe storage bill; mandated reporting of lost and stolen guns; and a ban on assault weapons.
Last year, the Legislature passed a massive $880 million public safety bill with new gun restrictions. A new red flag law allows family members or police to ask judges to take guns from people deemed a danger to themselves or others; requires background checks for private gun sales; and increases penalties for possession of converted machine guns.