Gun Sense Lawmakers, Gun Violence Survivors, Shannon Watts, and Over 200 Minnesota Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Call for Action on Gun Safety During Annual Advocacy Day, and Celebrate 10 Years of Life-Saving Work in St. Paul

St. Paul, Min. — Today, Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, St. Paul Mayor Carter, State Senators Erin Maye Quade and Liz Boldon, Minnesota House Majority Leader Jamie Long, State Representatives Cedrick Frazier and Kaohly Vang Her, and over 200 Minneapolis Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, alongside Moms Demand Action founder, Shannon Watts, and Everytown for Gun Safety Senior Vice President of Movement Building, Angela Ferrell-Zabala, called for action on gun safety during their annual Advocacy Day in St. Paul. This year’s Advocacy Day coincides with the celebration of 10 years of Moms Demand Action’s life-saving work to protect our families and communities from gun violence. 

Volunteers met with lawmakers and their staff to advocate for gun safety measures to be passed during this session, including background checks on all firearm sales, an extreme risk protection law, secure firearm storage requirements, lost or stolen firearm reporting requirements, and expanded funding for community violence intervention programs. 

“Over the past 10 years, Minnesota Moms Demand Action has laid the groundwork of a powerful gun violence prevention movement, culminating in a gun sense majority in the state,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “Minnesota Moms Demand Action volunteers have been on the front lines of this fight, and many now advocate as elected officials. We’re stronger than ever and fired up to continue our fight in the statehouse to pass gun safety laws that will protect our communities and save lives.”

“We are rallying at the statehouse because it is clear that communities across Minnesota are facing a gun violence crisis,” said Molly Leutz, volunteer with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action. “After flipping the state Senate, this is the year to pass meaningful and common-sense gun safety policies that will keep Minnesotans safe, including background checks on all firearm sales, an extreme risk law, secure firearm storage requirements, and a lost or stolen firearm reporting requirements. We look forward to working with Governor Walz and other Minnesota lawmakers to pass gun safety laws that will protect our communities and save lives.”

This year, Moms Demand Action volunteers are asking lawmakers to take action and pass proactive measures that will save lives. This comes after Moms Demand Action volunteers had major success this past election cycle — across the country 150 Moms Demand Action volunteers won their race for office, and gun violence prevention proved to be a winning issue — including in Minnesota. 

Since its founding 10 years ago, Moms Demand Action has partnered with volunteers and lawmakers to fight for policies that eradicate gun violence in Minnesota and nationwide. Due to the tireless work of Moms Demand Action Volunteers campaigning and running for office, including four volunteers who helped flip the Senate, Minnesota now has a Gun Sense Trifecta – meaning the majority in the House, Senate, and Governors’ Mansion – and an opportunity to push for critical common-sense gun safety legislation.

Over the last couple sessions, necessary legislation like addressing lost and stolen firearms, and secure firearm storage legislation have been introduced, but were unable to make it to the Governor’s desk. In 2019 and 2020, the Minnesota House passed background check and extreme risk laws to the second chamber, but the Republican-controlled state Senate refused to hold a vote or even a public hearing on the bills. 

To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please reach out to [email protected].