The Minnesota chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement after the Minnesota House and Senate concurred on amendments and passed an omnibus public safety budget package that includes reforms to policing practices in Minnesota:
“We are grateful that the Minnesota legislature took this important step forward — but the work cannot stop here,” said Molly Leutz, a volunteer with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action. “While this bill is a modest step in the right direction, it does not entirely meet the moment or answer calls for reform from Minnesotans. It is clear that more substantive and fundamental change is needed to combat police violence and the root causes of gun violence.”
Provisions aimed at police accountability and reform outlined in the bill include:
- Regulates and collects data on the use of “no knock” warrants
- Expands data collection to improve data on officer misconduct and to allow the POST board to develop an effective early warning system, which will flag officers with problematic conduct
- Encourages the use of alternative dispatch which allow mental health professionals to respond to emergencies involving people experiencing a crisis
The Minnesota House of Representatives officially adjourned sine die last night. Throughout this session, Minnesota Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers took action, meeting with legislators and community partners and holding a virtual advocacy day with almost 200 volunteer attendees. The Minnesota Senate is expected to adjourn sine die in the coming days as well.
More information about police violence is available here. Additional information on gun violence in Minnesota is available here, and Everytown’s Gun Law Navigator — which shows how Minnesota’s gun laws compare to those of other states — is available here.
