Senator Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, announced this week that his committee will hold two informational hearings regarding violence prevention laws. Recent reports of increasing violence in the urban core, safety of public transit systems, and high-profile intimate partner acts of violence have led many Minnesotans to ask what else can be done to both prevent violence and defend themselves.

The first hearing will provide a review of current laws that support violence prevention and reduction in our communities. The review will be led by non-partisan staff.  The second hearing will consider proposals advanced by senators from both sides of the aisle with a time for public testimony and feedback from law enforcement.

“I want to thank Senator Limmer for allowing this important discussion to take place,” said Senator Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth). “I have been advocating for, and encouraging, these conversations for some time and look forward to participating and working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure our communities are safe. The issues surrounding gun safety are critically important to the people I represent in Senate District 44, as well as across the state of Minnesota.”

Senator Anderson is advocating for several violence prevention ideas and he looks forward to his proposals, including Senate File 2596 being heard in the January hearing. This bill enhances penalties for illegal gun transfers from a gross misdemeanor to a felony and increases jail time.

“There is no higher priority for government than to keep people safe,” added Senator Anderson. “It is our responsibility as lawmakers to do all we can to prevent violent criminals and those with mental health issues who pose a threat to themselves or others from accessing guns while still protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. I am committed to finding the balance that is essential to the safety of our communities.”