Three cars behind us, there was a man with a loaded handgun. Cregan's father survived, but her mother died. Cregan and other members of the group that organized the Million Moms March to push for tougher gun laws say arming more citizens won't reduce violence. They say access to more guns would result in more deaths, while supporters of concealed carry say states that have passed the legislation have seen a drop in violent crime. The bill under consideration would make it easier for citizens who qualify to get a permit to carry a gun.
Current law gives sheriffs and police departments discretion in deciding who gets a permit.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Linda Boudreau, R-Faribault, has a thick stack of letters from Minnesotans who've been denied permits. Boudreau's bill faces some powerful opponents. Leaders of Minnesota's law enforcement associations boycotted the hearing in protest of the bill. Dennis Flaherty, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, says the overwhelming majority of officers don't want to see more guns on the street. Not only is that a real threat to the safety of our citizens across the state, but it is a direct threat to the safety of police officers.