Saint Paul committee hears proposals to ban assault weapons, require serial numbers and expand safe-storage efforts; enforcement tied to state preemption repeal

The St. Paul Organization and Policy Committee on Oct. 15 heard detailed presentations on local options to curb gun violence, including a mayoral ordinance that would ban assault weapons, large-capacity magazines and binary triggers inside city limits, require serial numbers on firearms and expand secure-storage outreach. Committee members and outside advocates were clear that the ordinance is designed to take effect only after the state—s firearm preemption is repealed.

The proposed local ordinance, which the city said would come to the council for first reading Oct. 22 with a public hearing planned Nov. 5 and final action Nov. 12, would: ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines (the draft defines high-capacity magazines as 20 rounds), prohibit binary triggers, require serial numbers to make so-called "ghost guns" traceable, restrict firearms in "sensitive places" including parks, libraries, recreation centers and city-owned buildings with posted signage, and include exemptions for active-duty law enforcement, licensed firearms dealers, lawful in-transit transport and certain transfers to authorized agencies. Bryn House, St. Paul—s intergovernmental relations director, said the ordinance language also states enforcement would not begin until the state preemption is lifted.

Why it matters: City officials and gun-violence-prevention advocates told the committee that local ordinances could reduce deaths and injuries if cities are permitted to regulate firearms beyond the current state floor. "Minnesota statute since 1985, section 471.633, has explicitly preempted all cities, counties, towns, and other governmental subdivisions from regulating firearms, ammunition, or the respective components," City Council Chief Policy Officer Mr. Greenfield told the committee. He described two narrow exceptions in state law (discharge regulation and regulations identical to state law) and reviewed past local measures, including a 2023 St. Paul safe-storage ordinance.

Advocates from Moms Demand Action and Protect Minnesota described both the public-health rationale and implementation priorities. "We are proud of the city of Saint Paul for recently drafting language for an ordinance that will address gun violence in our city. We fully support all the policies within it," Gretchen Damon of Saint Paul Moms Demand Action said. Maggie Emery, executive director of Protect Minnesota, described assault weapons as "a semi-automatic civilian weapon that usually has a military-style feature," and said mass shootings involving such weapons tend to produce more casualties. Emery noted that Moms Demand Action favors a 10-round threshold to define high-capacity magazines, whereas the city's draft uses 20 rounds.

Speakers also pressed for parallel measures that do not require ordinance authority. Advocates urged expanded public education and resources for extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs, often called "red flag" laws) and wider secure-storage campaigns. Anne LaDuke, a Saint Paul resident, called the ERPO work "a public education campaign," and described Ramsey County—s petition form and the county attorney—s prioritization of ERPO implementation. Presenters stressed existing state measures: a child-access law adopted in 2010 and the state—s 2003 personal protection law governing permitted carry were cited as part of the legal backdrop.

On technical points, committee members asked about serial-number requirements, enforcement capacity and travel-through exemptions. House staff said that while the ordinance would require serial numbers to counter 3D-printed ghost guns, the city would not create a serial-numbering program on its own; serialization and broader tracing likely require state action or a larger program. Bryn House said the draft includes an exemption allowing lawful transport through the city but staff would clarify edge cases such as overnight stays or travel through the Minneapolis—Saint Paul airport. Representative Dave Pinto, author of a bill in the Minnesota Legislature to lift preemption, told the committee that lifting preemption is a separate but related effort at the state level.

Numbers and context cited at the meeting: Mr. Greenfield reported that roughly 43 states have preemption statutes limiting local firearm regulation; presenters said 44 million firearms were purchased nationwide in 2020—— and 2021, about 1.5 million of which were in Minnesota; presenters also said just under half of gun owners store firearms securely. The city—s 2023 safe-storage ordinance prohibits negligently storing a firearm where an unauthorized person is likely to gain access, and local advocates are pushing for a state-level secure-storage law as well.

What the committee did: No formal vote was taken. Staff indicated the mayor—s ordinance draft will be formalized and placed on the council calendar for readings beginning Oct. 22; several council members and presenters encouraged continued public education and legislative outreach to state lawmakers to repeal preemption.

The committee heard multiple points of disagreement or choice to be resolved by the council, most notably the high-capacity threshold (Moms Demand Action prefers 10 rounds; the city draft uses 20) and details of exemptions and enforcement. Several council members asked staff for clarified language on transport exemptions, serialization implementation and the ordinance—s defined list of prohibited "assault weapon" features.

The presentations combined policy background, public-education requests and a proposed ordinance that is explicitly contingent on state-level change. Council members and presenters said they would continue coordination with the mayor—s office, the St. Paul delegation at the Capitol and community groups as the ordinance proceeds to readings and public hearing.