Edina council directs staff to draft gun-violence measures, calls for state to lift preemption

The Edina City Council on Oct. 22 directed staff to draft local measures aimed at reducing gun violence and a resolution calling on the Minnesota Legislature to lift state preemption that limits local firearm regulation.

Mayor Hovland opened the discussion by referencing the council’s Sept. 16 resolution of solidarity with the Annunciation Catholic School community and said the city should press for changes at the state level as well as prepare local options. Councilmember Agnew urged an immediate, multi-part approach: “Let’s put our foot down and say this is what is important,” she said, calling for both enforceable local steps and a stronger message to the Legislature.

Council members debated a three-part path: (1) pass locally enforceable measures the city can adopt now where authority exists (for example, safe-storage rules and targeted location restrictions); (2) draft a separate ordinance package addressing assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines and ghost guns that would serve as a local ban if state preemption were lifted; and (3) adopt a resolution asking the Legislature to change state law so cities can act without legal barriers.

City Attorney staff advised that Minnesota state law currently preempts local regulation of firearms, ammunition and components, which means many proposed local bans would be vulnerable to legal challenge. The attorney noted, however, that other actions — including safe-storage requirements and raising the city’s voice through a resolution calling for the lifting of preemption — are viable immediate steps. Councilmember Pierce recommended drafting measures with an effective-date clause (for example, a delayed effective date tied to any future removal of state preemption) to protect police and city staff from enforcement issues while expressing the council’s policy intent.

Council members also discussed the political and civic value of adopting local ordinances even if they are challenged, as a means to put pressure on the state Legislature and to “make some noise,” in Councilmember Pierce’s words. Several council members said they wanted both tactical, enforceable steps and a bolder ordinance that would only take effect if the Legislature lifts preemption. Councilmember Jackson asked staff to review Saint Paul’s recently discussed measures as a starting point.

City Manager Neal and city staff were asked to return drafts to the council by the Nov. 18 meeting. The council did not adopt any ordinance at the Oct. 22 meeting; members agreed on direction and a timeline for staff work and follow-up.

The council emphasized that the actions aim to reduce risks to children and school communities and to provoke legislative change if state law continues to block local regulation.