Overview

• Prompted by last month’s Annunciation Catholic Church shooting that killed two children, the bipartisan Senate working group meets Monday with another session set for Sept. 17.
• The panel cannot advance bills while the Legislature is out of session, so testimony will inform what might move in a special session or in 2026.
• Gov. Tim Walz says he will summon lawmakers for a special session and wants recorded votes on bans on assault‑style weapons and high‑capacity magazines.
• DFL members outlined options including lifting the state preemption on local gun rules, creating a Health Department office, boosting prevention research funding, banning ghost guns, and requiring buyer training.
• Senate Republicans emphasize tougher penalties for repeat violent offenders, expanded school security with SROs, and broader mental‑health resources rather than gun bans.