Mayors from 16 metro cities are coming together to push for stronger gun reform in Minnesota.
Prompted by the mass shooting at Minneapolis's Annunciation Church this summer, city leaders have put forward a set of unified ordinances banning assault weapons.
Their goal is to repeal state preemption laws, giving cities and counties the power to regulate firearms locally.
Mayor of Hopkins Patrick Hanlon says it's time to put politics aside and protect Minnesota's children.
"I don't think anyone believes that anyone is going to do a damn thing about this at the end of the day," Hanlon said Tuesday. "And I'm hoping that, like I said, I come from a city that we pride ourselves in still having bipartisanship and that someone can step across the aisle and support our mayors".
The demand follows Governor Tim Walz's public support for a special session that ultimately has stalled with no agreement between GOP and DFL leaders on how to proceed.
"It's not hyperbole to say that we are in a clear and present danger situation," explains Mayor of Bloomington Tim Busse, who says it's time shift power closer to the communities that need it most.
"We have weapons of war on our streets, in our schools, in our places of worship, and the call to action is now," he adds.
"If the state does not act to protect our children, I believe cities should be allowed to take action at the local level," explained Richfield Mayor Mary Supple.
Giving cities the power to regulate firearms will also require a bill to be passed by the state legislature, either in that special session, or in the regular session that begins in January.
Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul and Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis led the contingent which included mayors from Richfield, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Rochester, Stillwater, Burnsville, St. Louis Park, Eden Prairie, Mounds View plus a councilmember from Shoreview.
“Gun violence is not a distant threat. It is here, in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our homes,” said Mayor Carter. “We must have the authority to act locally, to protect our kids, and to make sure every child has the chance to grow up in a safe, supportive community.”