St. Paul Assault Weapons Ban Proposal

St. Paul Mayor Proposes 'Assault-Weapons' Ban Amidst Gun Control Debate

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has proposed an 'assault-weapons' ban ordinance, aiming to prohibit semi-automatic rifles within city limits. The move comes amidst ongoing debates about gun control measures nationwide.

The proposed ordinance, introduced by the St. Paul City Council, seeks to limit the possession of certain semi-automatic rifles within the city. Mayor Carter, a Democrat, described this measure as the 'bare minimum' of what should be done regarding gun control. However, the term 'assault weapon' is largely a political invention, used to encompass various firearms and accessories. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), there are over 30 million semi-automatic rifles currently in circulation across the country.

The city council plans to hold a second reading of the proposal on November 5, with a potential final passage scheduled for November 12. The ordinance's enforceability remains a topic of debate, with some arguing it may be unenforceable due to Minnesota's statewide preemption for firearm laws. Critics also point out that similar federal measures, such as the 1994 assault weapons ban, had a negligible effect on crime rates.

St. Paul's proposed 'assault-weapons' ban ordinance is set to undergo further council review in early November. Despite the debate surrounding its enforceability and potential impact, the measure reflects ongoing efforts to address gun control at the local level.