Minnesota Democratic leaders say special-session offer on assault-weapons ban stalled by lack of Republican votes

A Democratic legislative leader and Aliyah Murphy, a legislator, told reporters that Democrats had presented Republicans and the governor with a proposal for a special session to address recent gun violence that would include bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The Democratic legislative leader said the offer was made “in good faith” and included provisions Democrats and affected families favor, as well as items Republicans have said are important to them. “This morning, leader Murphy, myself, the governor, put out a offer in good faith to our Republican colleagues to have a special session to address the gun violence we've been seeing across the state and across the country in recent days,” the leader said.

Why it matters: Democratic leaders described the proposal as a negotiated offer intended to secure bipartisan support but said they believe Republican leadership will not allow a floor vote on an assault-weapons ban. That, they said, leaves the effort stalled unless Republicans change position or the governor calls a special session and Republicans provide votes.

Democrats’ offer and the impasse Democratic leaders said the package includes a ban on assault weapons and a ban on high-capacity magazines and that the proposal incorporated some items Republicans had argued were important. The Democratic legislative leader said he heard Republican leader Niska say there "wasn't a single Republican vote for an assault weapons ban" and that Niska "wasn't even gonna bring it to the floor." "That's not an open process," the leader said.

Aliyah Murphy, who participated in the press conference, said members of both parties face a difficult vote and that she is "counting my votes" among her caucus. Murphy said no member had told her "hell no" about the policy and that colleagues were taking the vote seriously.

No formal votes; possible special session Officials confirmed there was no formal vote at the event. Democrats said they shared the offer publicly to be transparent about their position and to spur public pressure on legislators. The leaders said the date included in their written offer — Oct. 12 — was negotiable and part of the offer's details that could be adjusted.

Asked who would decide whether the special session happens, leaders said that would be the governor's decision. "I'm expecting that the governor is gonna exercise what is his authority to call a special session when he decides to do that. And we're gonna come prepared to work if he does, and we'll take a vote," one leader said.

Context and background Democratic speakers cited recent shootings and losses as driving urgency for legislation. "We lost 2 kids in a brutal shooting. Many more people were injured than that," Murphy said, adding that such violence "doesn't happen that often in Minnesota." Speakers also noted earlier gun-violence measures passed in 2023 under Democratic control, including universal background checks and red-flag laws, and said they want to build on that work.

What leaders said about negotiations Democratic leaders said they approached the talks prepared to compromise and hoped for a counteroffer from Republicans. "We made a good faith effort to reach common ground, and what we got in return was nothing," one Democratic leader said. They characterized the Republican response as a process argument — saying every legislator should be involved — rather than an agreement to bring measures to floor votes.

Next steps Democratic leaders said they will continue outreach to Republican members and to the public, and that they will pursue the issue through the interim, the next regular session and into 2027 if necessary. They emphasized they will not stop seeking action on gun-violence prevention measures and that any final legislation will require Republican votes in the current legislature's makeup.

No new statutory language, bill numbers or formal motions were announced at the press conference.