Mayors of Minneapolis, St. Paul and a number of other Minnesota cities are holding a news conference Tuesday afternoon asking lawmakers to pass a ban on assault weapons in the state.
WCCO Radio's Susie Jones has a response from gun rights activists who say it won't help.
In response to the request, which Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he will ask for in a special session of the legislature, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus says assault weapons bans don't reduce gun crimes.
They also pointed to the fact that the shooter at Annunciation Church last week also had a shotgun and a pistol.
Rob Doar of the Gun Owners Caucus said tens of thousands of AR-style rifles and accessories are already legally owned in Minnesota and that a ban wouldn’t change that, or survive a legal challenge.
“Instead of treating this as a political football in an election year, we should pursue steps that research shows are effective: strengthening mental health resources, broadening community support systems, providing schools with discreet layered security, and denying perpetrators the notoriety they seek,” Doar said. “These solutions would have real impact and can earn broad bipartisan, even unanimous, support.”
That didn't stop leadership from a number of Minnesota communities from asking for a ban.
Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse says they want to lawmakers in Minnesota to pass a law that would ban on high-capacity assault weapons.
"Since last Wednesday's shooting at Annunciation Church, we've seen the unwavering resolve of Minnesotans who are demanding change," says Mayor Busse. "Inaction is no longer an option."
Busse and others say if state lawmakers cannot do it, then let the cities take care of it.
"Cities have a long history of leading, stepping up when higher levels of government have stalled," he adds. "Whether it's housing, indoor smoking bans, earned sick and safe leave, childcare, it was cities that led and eventually - eventually the state followed."
They were joined by both Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action in calling for reform in Minnesota.
"The first and best way of doing this is to have a statewide and or a federal ban on assault weapons, and a ban on high capacity magazines," Minneapolis' Mayor Jacob Frey said. "But if you're not able to do it or willing to do it there, give us the ability to keep our constituents safe. That is our call. That is our ask."