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Councilmember offers model ordinance to act if state lifts gun‑law preemption
Summary
Councilmember Paula proposed studying an ordinance modeled on Edina’s that would ban assault weapons, large‑capacity magazines and ghost guns within city limits if state preemption is lifted; city attorney noted ongoing litigation elsewhere and suggested a phased approach or a resolution urging legislative change.
Councilmember Paula (Calvert) proposed the council consider a contingent gun‑violence prevention ordinance patterned on language used by Edina that would ban assault weapons, large‑capacity magazines and ghost guns in the city if the state later lifts municipal preemption. The proposed approach would make the ordinance effectively dormant until preemption ends; Edina’s text also includes a mechanism for council acknowledgment before the municipal prohibition would take effect.
City Attorney Eric Nelson warned that Saint Paul’s similar ordinance has generated litigation (a federal lawsuit is pending) and that courts’ findings and motions will provide useful precedent when drafting local language. He suggested, as an alternative, a council resolution urging the state legislature to lift preemption or adopting a uniform template across multiple cities so legal defense costs and strategy could be coordinated.
The mayor and staff agreed to connect with Councilmember Paula to evaluate options and next steps, including whether the council wants to pursue a symbolic ordinance now, wait for state action, or pursue a resolution that could build legislative momentum.
Why it matters: local ordinances designed to take effect only after a change in state law are increasingly used to express municipal policy positions while limiting immediate legal risk. Councilmember Paula and city staff will meet to outline options and report back.
