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MN:THE FIRST DAY
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
THE FIRST DAY: Protesters introduce 'tool kit' at cathedral news conference
Opponents of Minnesota's new handgun permit law said Wednesday that they aren't through fighting the measure even after it has gone into effect.
Members of the Coalition to End Gun Violence held a news conference on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Paul to unveil the church's new "no guns'' sign and to publicize the group's "tool kit'' to combat the law.
Included in the tool kit: a "Repeal Conceal-Carry" bumper sticker, a "Gun Free Home" window sticker, tips on lobbying lawmakers and sample resolutions for cities and churches. Among the suggestions it gives is to ask employers to make workplaces gun-free and to ask local churches to ban guns.
"Despite the Legislature's decision, the question how we Minnesotans will share our public spaces is far from clear,'' said the Rev. James Erlandson, co-chairman of the coalition. "We have a right to safe communities free from the threat of firearms.''
Among the speakers was Auxiliary Bishop Richard Pates of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
"I'm troubled by this legislation,'' he said. "Common sense says it will increase gun violence.''
Supporters of the gun law said such calls for change have been common in other states that have adopted similar legislation.
"We find once the law takes effect it quickly disappears,'' said Todd Adkins, deputy director of the National Rifle Association. "Even our opponents in the not-too-distant future will say this right for law-abiding citizens is not problematic for public safety.''
Lawyers saw law violates Minnesota's Constitution
Two Twin Cities lawyers filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of the state's new law on concealed handguns.
The suit was filed in Scott County on behalf of citizen Elisabeth Ann Price, named as a plaintiff because she "wants to make sure the laws that govern her are constitutional," not because she opposes the issue, said Bloomington attorney Sam McCloud, who filed the suit with Lakeville attorney John Price.
McCloud would not say whether Price is related to John Price or how she became named as the plaintiff. The suit lists the state of Minnesota, the commissioner of public safety and the commissioner of natural resources as defendants.
Leslie Sandberg, spokeswoman for Attorney General Mike Hatch, said her office received the suit and was reviewing it.
In the complaint, the attorneys argue that the law violates an article of the Minnesota Constitution, which states, "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title." The bill's title is 42 lines long and addresses about 10 different subjects, touching on park fees, fish and dark houses, littering and county reimbursement provisions, as well as the conceal and carry law.
Last week, the Edina Community Lutheran Church was the first to challenge the conceal and carry law when it filed suit in Hennepin County District Court. Another church also voted to join the lawsuit. The churches claim the law infringes on religious freedom by requiring churches to tell each person who enters the church that guns aren't allowed.
- Pioneer Press
Mall of America and 3M take new provisions in stride
For some of the Twin Cities' largest employers, the new gun law is simply a sign of the times.
At 3M Co. and the Mall of America, for instance, the law doesn't change how they do business, except that they will now post signs that reflect a long-standing policy: No guns allowed.
"We've never allowed guns in the building in the 11 years we've been open, so this isn't anything new for us," said the Mall of America's Monica Davis. "The law calls for us to post this - we are now in compliance with that."
The signs were put up around the Bloomington mall overnight.
3M has reminded its employees via electronic mail last week of a standing anti-violence policy that forbids weapons, including handguns, in the workplace, said spokesman John Cornwell of the Maplewood-based company.
"We'll be posting signs at the entrances of our Minnesota facilities to make visitors aware of this policy," he said, explaining that the policy applies to employees, contract workers and guests at all Minnesota facilities.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/politics/5964235.htm
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878<P>
Opponents of Minnesota's new handgun permit law said Wednesday that they aren't through fighting the measure even after it has gone into effect.
Members of the Coalition to End Gun Violence held a news conference on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Paul to unveil the church's new "no guns'' sign and to publicize the group's "tool kit'' to combat the law.
Included in the tool kit: a "Repeal Conceal-Carry" bumper sticker, a "Gun Free Home" window sticker, tips on lobbying lawmakers and sample resolutions for cities and churches. Among the suggestions it gives is to ask employers to make workplaces gun-free and to ask local churches to ban guns.
"Despite the Legislature's decision, the question how we Minnesotans will share our public spaces is far from clear,'' said the Rev. James Erlandson, co-chairman of the coalition. "We have a right to safe communities free from the threat of firearms.''
Among the speakers was Auxiliary Bishop Richard Pates of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
"I'm troubled by this legislation,'' he said. "Common sense says it will increase gun violence.''
Supporters of the gun law said such calls for change have been common in other states that have adopted similar legislation.
"We find once the law takes effect it quickly disappears,'' said Todd Adkins, deputy director of the National Rifle Association. "Even our opponents in the not-too-distant future will say this right for law-abiding citizens is not problematic for public safety.''
Lawyers saw law violates Minnesota's Constitution
Two Twin Cities lawyers filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of the state's new law on concealed handguns.
The suit was filed in Scott County on behalf of citizen Elisabeth Ann Price, named as a plaintiff because she "wants to make sure the laws that govern her are constitutional," not because she opposes the issue, said Bloomington attorney Sam McCloud, who filed the suit with Lakeville attorney John Price.
McCloud would not say whether Price is related to John Price or how she became named as the plaintiff. The suit lists the state of Minnesota, the commissioner of public safety and the commissioner of natural resources as defendants.
Leslie Sandberg, spokeswoman for Attorney General Mike Hatch, said her office received the suit and was reviewing it.
In the complaint, the attorneys argue that the law violates an article of the Minnesota Constitution, which states, "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title." The bill's title is 42 lines long and addresses about 10 different subjects, touching on park fees, fish and dark houses, littering and county reimbursement provisions, as well as the conceal and carry law.
Last week, the Edina Community Lutheran Church was the first to challenge the conceal and carry law when it filed suit in Hennepin County District Court. Another church also voted to join the lawsuit. The churches claim the law infringes on religious freedom by requiring churches to tell each person who enters the church that guns aren't allowed.
- Pioneer Press
Mall of America and 3M take new provisions in stride
For some of the Twin Cities' largest employers, the new gun law is simply a sign of the times.
At 3M Co. and the Mall of America, for instance, the law doesn't change how they do business, except that they will now post signs that reflect a long-standing policy: No guns allowed.
"We've never allowed guns in the building in the 11 years we've been open, so this isn't anything new for us," said the Mall of America's Monica Davis. "The law calls for us to post this - we are now in compliance with that."
The signs were put up around the Bloomington mall overnight.
3M has reminded its employees via electronic mail last week of a standing anti-violence policy that forbids weapons, including handguns, in the workplace, said spokesman John Cornwell of the Maplewood-based company.
"We'll be posting signs at the entrances of our Minnesota facilities to make visitors aware of this policy," he said, explaining that the policy applies to employees, contract workers and guests at all Minnesota facilities.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/politics/5964235.htm
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878<P>
Comments
Updated: 05-29-2003 09:12:17 AM
Opponents of the new conceal carry law that went into effect in Minnesota Wednesday warn of dire consequences. Supporters say nothing is different, except there is more uniformity in issuing the permits.They point to a Greater Minnesota county where more handgun permits have been issued that in Hennepin and Ramsey County combined.
In 2002, the Hennepin County sheriff issued six handgun permits. Ramsey County issued 43. But Otter Tail County issued 1,060 permits.
Down the street at South Mill Service in Otter Tail County, drivers can still find a full service fill-up. The gasoline is unleaded. But if you want lead-well, they have that too.
"We got our single action revolvers," says owner Gary Wahl .
Otter Tail County, with a population of 59,000 has more conceal and carry permits than any other county in the state.
"It certainly should give our criminals a reason to think twice before creating any problems, shouldn't it.?"
That logic prompted Former Sheriff Gary Nelson's permit policy, or lack of it.
"For 16 years, I handed out a thousand permits a year. Nobody committed a crime. Not one," he said.
Retired now, Nelson defends his defiance of the old law, by pointing to the passage of the new.
"What this does is it levels the playing field. Some of the law- abiding citizens will carry guns; all of the criminals will," he said.
Asking around, Eyewitness News found a lot of people in Otter Tail County who have no problem with conceal-and-carry handguns. The former sheriff said, "You could go all day like this and it'd be 9 out of 10."
Number 10 would be new mom Cassie Schorock.
"I don't believe in having to have a gun on me," she said.
She already had her hands full with a baby at a local playground.
A mother with a few more years at that playground, Wendy Stoll, carried Schorock's argument further.
"If everybody has the right to have a gun, sooner or later it's going to fall into the wrong hands," she said.
Back at the gas station, Wahl didn't see why some people should control what other people want to do, if it's legal.
"You try to provide what people want, and if it doesn't look right to anyone else, that's fine."
Ony in America--well, the Otter Tail County portion, at least. A community where the lead is at a premium.
http://www.kstp.com/article/view/99957/
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878<P>
By Jeff Baird
jbaird@forumcomm.com
The Forum - 05/29/2003
Tom Matejka enjoyed a lazy day in the office Wednesday.
The Wilkin County Sheriff was relieved not to have a line of people outside his door waiting to apply for handgun permits like his counterparts in the Twin Cities.
"I haven't had any phone calls today," he said. "It's more quiet than usual."
Matejka wasn't alone. Only two people asked for permits in Otter Tail, Becker, Norman and Mahnomen counties by 2 p.m. Wednesday, the first day Minnesota's new handgun permit law took effect.
"We haven't seen any different traffic," said Mahnomen County Sheriff Brad Athmann. "I think there are a lot of people that are still studying the effects of this bill."
Metro sheriffs saw a different scene.
In Hennepin County, 42 people were waiting outside the law enforcement center when doors opened at 8:30 a.m. By noon, more than 130 people applied for permits.
Legislative researchers and law enforcement authorities predict the number of permits will increase from 12,000 to 90,000 statewide within three years.
The law requires sheriffs to issue permits to most law-abiding, mentally competent adults who have taken a training course in the safe use of a handgun.
Some Twin Cities businesses and the Mall of America posted signs to keep guns off their property.
In Moorhead, signs weren't apparent. But people were calling to find out what they could do to keep guns out of their stores, said David Martin, public affairs director of the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce.
"I've not seen anyone with signs," he said. "But I'm sure some will begin to post because they don't want guns on their premises."
Currently, businesses, churches and other establishments must post a sign and tell visitors to keep handguns off their property.
Last week, a judge signed an order barring guns from the Clay County Courthouse.
Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist issued one permit Wednesday. The applicant had already passed a pistol safety class, Bergquist said. About 25 people called his office to get information about the application process.
Locally, residents want to know where they can receive the required pistol training, and sheriffs are looking for answers.
"The availability of training is going to be a concern," Otter Tail County Sheriff Brian Schlueter said. "Right now there isn't that many (classes) that I am aware of."
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Only one of seven training sessions at Central Lakes College in Brainerd had openings as of Wednesday afternoon.
Instructor Terry Fairbanks said the school is considering offering additional one-day, eight-hour classes to meet the demand.
Denny Magnusson of Grand Forks, N.D.-based Certified Pistol Trainers is also offering a 6?-hour training session on June 10. Slots were still available Wednesday.
Classes will cost between $80 and $100.
Moorhead law enforcement and gun dealers didn't know of any local firearms instructors offering training courses.
Gary Wahl, a certified National Rifle Association pistol instructor with more than 30 years of experience, said some trainers fear the new law leaves them vulnerable to litigation.
"We don't have the legal expertise to tell people when they should or shouldn't use deadly force nor do we wish to stick our necks out that far until we see what is happening with the law," the Fergus Falls resident said.
Clay County officials chose not to offer pistol training for similar reasons, Bergquist said.
"We thought it would be best not to get into getting into it," he said. "Everyone is worried about someone getting the training, then doing someone, then suing the trainer saying they weren't adequately informed."
But Fairbanks isn't worried because he is offering applicants the same class he gives those going into law enforcement.
"The standards we are training have withstood legal muster time and time again," he said.
Half of the people who enroll in his class could fail either the written or shooting proficiency tests, Fairbanks said.
"If we require our law enforcement to train and demonstrate this ability then why wouldn't we expect civilians who request to go armed have any less skill level?" he said.
Becker County is the only area sheriff's department looking at providing training.
Sheriff Tim Gordon will send two of his deputies to firearm instructor school. He wants to know applicants are getting the best training possible.
"We'll know when somebody applies that they have met all of the demands of the state statue," he said. "We have stacks of letters (advertising pistol training programs) that I have no clue who they are. It would be nice to have some control over who is teaching the class."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Baird at (701) 241-5535
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=34231
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878<P>
That's a lie. Oshman's Super Sports used to sell guns (long guns AND handguns) until they went the politically correct route. I saw my first Colt Python and Colt Anaconda in the Mall of America.
Regards.
"The only way American citizens can adequately be protected from terror and violence is when" those in authority protect us from those who would harm us, instead of protecting us from ourselves.
Regards,
"I think life should be more like TV. All of life's problems ought to be solved within 30 minutes with simple homilies. All our desires should be instantly gratified. Women should always wear tight clothes, and men should carry powerful handguns. Of course, if life was really like that, what would we watch on TV?" -Calvin and Hobbes