In the aftermath of the Annunciation Catholic Church and School shooting, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz enacted the longtime Dem mantra of never letting a good crisis go to waste. Specifically, Walz almost immediately expressed a desire to call a special session of the legislature in order to ban firearms like the ones used at the attack on Annunciation. I'm certain he thought he'd get a least a few Republicans on the defensive who would then join all the Democrats to ban "assault rifles."
Thankfully, MN House Republicans went on offense, showing how they can be serious about ensuring guns don't get in the wrong hands and protecting kids, all while not running afoul of the U.S. Constitution.
— MN House Republicans (@mnhousegop) September 4, 2025
While Walz has attempted to frame this as Republicans being unwilling to ban dangerous weapons, the fact of the matter is there are some DFL legislators who won't even commit to an outright gun ban. As such, Walz seems all but resigned to the fact that a special session (which he and he alone has the authority to call) likely won't happen.
Responding to ramped-up pressure on him by groups seeking new gun restrictions, Walz said a session wouldn’t be worthwhile if the House and Senate won’t commit to vote on proposals to restrict assault-style weapons and high capacity magazines.
In the weeks following the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, Walz has pressed for the bans to reduce instances of gun violence in Minnesota. But Republican legislative leaders have said the focus should be on mental health resources and tighter security for schools rather than guns.
“I need to get an agreement on this. I need to have it. If we're going to hold the special session on safety of our children and safety of our streets and safety on gun violence, we need to talk about guns,” Walz said at news conference where he got immunizations for COVID-19 and the flu.
“And if the folks who hold veto power over this, which they do because of the makeup of the Legislature, if they say that's not going to happen, calling a special session is going to be a waste of money and a waste of time if they're not willing to participate,” he continued.
It's also probably not a good idea to imply that those legislators who oppose gun bans somehow lack moral courage. David Lose, a senior pastor at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, said it was that kind of rhetoric which dissuaded him from joining his fellow clergy in signing a petition calling for banning of certain weapons.
I understand the frustration, even righteous indignation, that prompts faith leaders to “demand” change, particularly in light of the tragedy and trauma of the school shooting at Annunciation Church that left two children dead and 24 children and three adults wounded. I get that. But what is demanded? Not simply calling a special session, but that lawmakers act “with moral clarity and courageous leadership,” implying that anyone who does not agree with the petitioners lacks moral vision and courage. The slide from moral indignation to condescending contempt — at least in the eyes and ears of anyone who may disagree — is as swift as it is uncompromising and will likely only push opponents to greater entrenchment in their previously held positions.
Which is perhaps the most problematic element of “the pattern of this world.” Increasingly, the issues of the day are rarely framed as policy issues or even moral ones, but rather as identity issues. Both sides of the political aisle are expected to line up, tow the party line and disavow any conversation, let alone compromise, with opponents.
Minnesota State Senator (and longtime friend of the NARN) Julia Coleman said in an interview last week that she was more than willing to be part of a special session merely to address what she deemed as a failure of the entire legislative body to protect children. And for that, she gets labeled a "RINO" by the buffoons at Action 4 Larceny Liberty.
In the end, Walz realizes his desires will not be fulfilled, so he'll take his demagoguery to the echo chambers that are anti-gun town halls. His only goal with that isn't to convey a substantive case for gun control (though to be fair, he's never had one) but rather make his campaign reelection pitch as well as give an assist to DFLers hoping to regain a majority in both legislative chambers.
One final thought: I love how Walz decries wasting taxpayer money on a special session where there's a good chance nothing will get accomplished yet doesn't seem to factor in that it will cost significantly more to defend in court gun laws which would likely be unconstitutional.
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