Relentlessly search for common ground

 This commentary by Senator Scott Jensen [R-Chaska] was originally published in the Chaska Herald

Legislators sign on to bills for many reasons other than to support them with a vote. Exploring ideas, expanding boundaries of discussion, or creating vehicles for future legislative proposals are all reasons to consider giving a boost to an idea that you know is not yet ready for committee presentation or floor debate. For example, I recently signed on to a distracted driving bill because I believe it is time for a broad-based discussion about the epidemic of distracted driving. But the bill I signed on to — in its infancy form – contained language that I did not agree with, so there was no way I would support it with a vote in committee or on the Senate floor unless it was revised.

I felt similarly regarding many of the initial preliminary proposals for opiate prescribing restrictions. Ideas that may interfere with pain control for patients should be thoughtfully constructed, so when I was asked by several legislators to sign on to preliminary proposals because of my medical background, I did so only to contribute to a robust discussion and demonstrate a desire that this conceptual issue had bipartisan support.

Recently, I signed on to proposals which focused on the illegal purchase and transfer of guns to persons prohibited from owning guns, as well as expanding the use of background checks in selling and buying guns. At that time, I made it clear to the author I would not vote for the proposals unless they were thoroughly vetted and revised. I subsequently received much feedback and came to appreciate that there is little opposition to initiatives focused on keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have guns. I believe this represents a starting point for a bridging dialogue.

I am proud to stand with the millions of Americans — young and old — who have demanded an expanded discussion of public safety and gun legislation, and I encourage all legislators to support discussion of the following concepts:

1. Expand the availability of the background check system to private gun sellers on a voluntary no-charge basis through county sheriffs offices. If and when this option is utilized by private buyers and sellers, there will be no registration whatsoever. The potential buyer will deliver to the sheriff a signed request to perform a background check on him/herself. The sheriff’s office shall simply run the background check and inform the potential seller of the results. The seller will then decide whether or not to go forward with the deal. The sheriff will not be informed as to whether or not any transaction actually occurs. This enhanced access to the background check tool may expand its use and possibly help keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have guns.
2. Expand gun safety classes for the purpose of promoting responsible gun ownership and safety.
3. Provide funding support for all schools to help create hotline access to local mental health providers so that acutely troubled students are not sent to emergency rooms, but rather are attended to in appropriate and supportive venues. The opportunity for school districts to create retainer relationships with local mental health therapists can optimize the likelihood that crisis management situations will be ideally managed.
4. Fund a public awareness program for the purpose of enhanced recognition of student mental health struggles with emphasis on how students can reach out to one another.
5. Direct the Department of Health to study gun violence in Minnesota and to prepare a report for the 2019 Legislature, complete with recommendations for enhanced awareness and intervention measures available to Minnesota schools regarding mental health issues and public safety.
6. Develop statute language for the cautious and judicious use of gun violence restraining orders (GVRO) to allow for the removal of guns from mentally unstable persons.

It is also critical to continue present efforts to advance bills on school safety and scrutinize how to achieve enhanced access for mental health patients.

In closing, is there a one of us who doesn’t want kids to be safe in schools and all of us to be secure in public places? Let’s together relentlessly search for common ground in the dialogue on public safety in America.