Overview
- Gov. Tim Walz opened a DFL town hall series at Waconia High School with former Rep. Gabby Giffords, drawing roughly 850 attendees and a panel of teachers, physicians and advocates.
- Walz urged residents to keep pressure on lawmakers and said he is prepared to ask voters to decide a constitutional amendment if the Legislature does not act.
- The push follows the Annunciation Catholic Church and School attack in Minneapolis that left two children dead and about 30 injured.
- Negotiations over a special session have stalled in the closely divided Legislature after Republicans rejected a DFL package that included bans on assault‑style weapons and high‑capacity magazines.
- Republican leaders labeled the Waconia gathering a campaign‑style event and questioned its openness, while DFL organizers said more public forums are planned, including one in Rochester on Nov. 6.