FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2025
CONTACT
Jennifer “JLor” Lor
(651) 417-9454
SAINT PAUL—Today, the City of Saint Paul published language for a proposed gun violence prevention ordinance, which will be introduced at the Saint Paul City Council’s October 22 regular meeting.
This next step follows the October 14 press conference at the State Capitol, during which Mayor Carter and a coalition of local elected officials from across Minnesota committed to coordinated action on gun violence. Saint Paul is the first city in the coalition to publish and introduce legislation reflecting that vision.
“Our children, our families, and our Governor are calling Minnesota to action on assault weapons,” said Mayor Carter. “If the legislature is unable to do something different, local leaders will.”
If passed, the proposed ordinance would strengthen Saint Paul's ability to address illegal and dangerous firearm activity. However, it would not take effect until the preemption laws are lifted.
The proposed ordinance seeks five stipulations:
Ban the public possession of assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and binary triggers within city limits
Prohibit untraceable “ghost guns,” by requiring all firearms to have serial numbers
Restrict firearms in sensitive public spaces, such as parks, libraries, recreation centers, and city buildings
Require clear signage in public facilities to inform residents of restrictions and encourage compliance
Define enforcement authority and penalties—to take effect only if the state repeals or amends preemption law
The ordinance exempts active-duty law enforcement and military personnel, licensed federal firearms curators, and transporting firearms through the city—as long as they keep the firearms unloaded, locked, and in compliance with Saint Paul’s safe storage ordinance.
“Gun violence is a crisis that demands action at every level,” said Council President Rebecca Noecker. “Saint Paul has taken meaningful steps to protect our community, from safe storage requirements to public awareness campaigns. This ordinance builds on that foundation by addressing high-risk weapons in public spaces and strengthening the protections that our residents rely on every day. While we hope the state will act, we in Saint Paul are committed to doing everything within our power to prevent gun violence.”
The city’s safe storage ordinance was adopted in 2022 and requires gun owners to store firearms unloaded and secured in a locked container or with a locking device. That policy marked a critical step toward reducing accidental shootings and preventing unauthorized access to firearms—especially by children. The new proposal expands Saint Paul’s approach by regulating the transport of high-risk weapons in public spaces.
The cities of Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Mendota Heights, Minnetonka, Mounds View, Richfield, Rochester, Shoreview, Saint Louis Park, Stillwater, and West Saint Paul will work to advance similar ordinances through their local legislative processes.
City leaders continue urging state lawmakers to lift the preemption ban and pass comprehensive policies. Coalition partners also include the University of Minnesota Law School Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, the Minnesota Chapter of Moms Demand Action, Protect Minnesota, Everytown for Gun Safety, GIFFORDS, Face to Face Academy, and local constituents and community advocates.
The Council will hold a public hearing on November 5.
STATEMENTS FROM OTHER SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCILMEMERS
Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim, Ward 5
“The time for half-measures has passed. Every day we delay action we risk another tragedy. Inaction tells our residents and our children that we value political convenience over their safety. I’m eager to support my colleagues and to partner with other local partners to keep our communities safe and to pass reasonable and long overdue firearm regulations such as restricting firearms in our parks and libraries and banning assault weapons.”
Councilmember Anika Bowie, Ward 1
"Gun violence is not abstract. It’s personal. It’s families, it’s classrooms, it’s communities like ours that carry this weight every single day. As a councilmember who’s been impacted by gun violence, I’m undoubtedly giving my full support to passing the gun violence prevention ordinance.”
Councilmember Saura Jost, Ward 3
“The most important thing we can do is protect each other. Protect our children. I never want to see another mass shooting in Saint Paul, in Minnesota, anywhere. Let this ordinance settle any question about where the people in Saint Paul stand on gun violence. Saint Paul will be ready when the State lets us do the work.”
Councilmember Molly Coleman, Ward 4
“Elected officials at every level have a solemn duty to keep our communities safe. For too long, our failure to adequately regulate guns has cost too many people their lives and left too many in Saint Paul at risk. We are no longer willing to wait for somebody else to act first—we’re going to pass the laws that we need to enact the common-sense gun control that people in Saint Paul, and we stand prepared to enforce them as soon as the state will allow us.”
Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Ward 6
"We are ready to take action at the city level that sends out an important message to all—we can no longer accept excuses and inaction when it comes to addressing the epidemic of gun violence.”
Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson, Ward 7
“Every community member—especially our children—deserves the fundamental right to feel safe in their neighborhoods, whether they’re reading at the library or playing at a local park or recreation center. There is no reason for unauthorized assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, ghost guns, or other dangerous firearm accessories to be present in our city. We have seen far too many mass shootings and senseless tragedies. This ordinance is a proactive step toward a safer Saint Paul—one that reflects our values and prioritizes the well-being of our families. We are sending a clear message: we are ready to act the moment we are empowered to do so. Our children and our communities are worth protecting.”
A full copy of the proposed ordinance can be viewed here.
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