DFL Voted Against Increased Penalties for Straw Gun Purchases

In a stark display of partisan politics, Senate Democrats have once again prioritized their own agenda over bipartisan efforts to address critical issues facing our communities. Today, Senator Julia Coleman's motion to advance SF 733, a bill aimed at making straw purchases of guns a felony under Minnesota law, was met with resistance from the majority of Democratic lawmakers.

Despite bipartisan support for the bill, with it having passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last year, Democrats chose to let it languish in the Finance Committee for nearly a year without a second hearing. This obstructionism underscores their unwillingness to prioritize public safety and address the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent gun violence.

Senator Coleman's efforts to move the bill forward were met with disappointment as partisan divides took precedence over bipartisan collaboration. With just one Democrat joining Republicans in supporting the motion, it's clear that political gamesmanship has once again trumped the opportunity to enact meaningful legislation that could save lives.

The failure to advance SF 733 is particularly disheartening in light of recent tragedies, such as the loss of Burnsville Police Officer Paul Elmstrand, who was among three first responders killed with a gun purchased by a straw buyer last month. Democrats' refusal to act on this critical issue demonstrates a troubling lack of commitment to public safety and underscores the urgent need for bipartisan cooperation to address gun violence in our communities.