MN Gun Owners Caucus v. City of Saint Paul (Preemption)

This case was filed in Ramsey County District Court on November 12, 2025.

Current Case Status

• We were denied a Temporary Restraining Order by Judge Castro.
• We will have a Motion Hearing on April 14, 2026 at 1:30PM on pending motions in the case.
• The case is set for trial for June 7, 2027 at 9:00 AM.

Last Updated:  February 16, 2026

Case Summary

In this case, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus is suing the City of Saint Paul for passing an illegal, preempted gun ban ordinance in violation of Minnesota’s firearms preemption law.

Case Details

Case Title

Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus v. City of Saint Paul, Minnesota

Ramsey County Court Case #

62-CV-25-9927

Assigned Judge

Judge Leonardo Castro

News Coverage

• October 16, 2025:  Washington Gun Law – “So this is how Minnesota plans on banning Assault Weapons” (video)
• October 16, 2025:  FOX 9 KMSP – St. Paul leaders set to propose gun law they can’t enforce
• October 22, 2025:  MPR News – Minnesota cities can’t regulate guns.  St. Paul is introducing an assault weapon ban anyway.
• October 27, 2025:  The Trace – As St. Paul Advances Assault Weapons Ban, Its Mayor Takes Aim at the State’s Preemption Law
• October 31, 2025:  Minnesota Daily – St. Paul proposes gun ordinance as part of statewide collaboration
• November 6, 2025:  WCCO CBS – St. Paul City Council hears residents’ thoughts on city ordinance aimed at restricting guns
• November 6, 2025:  Pioneer Press – St. Paul gun ordinance: From ‘100% against’ to strong support, City Council hears from residents
• November 12, 2025:  Star Tribune – St. Paul to ban assault-style guns in public, but rules remain symbolic unless state law changes
• November 12, 2025:  Bearing Arms – St. Paul Invites Lawsuit with Gun Control Vote
• November 12, 2025:  Pioneer Press – Lawsuit filed after St. Paul City Council Unanimously approved firearms regulation ordinance

Case Filings

• November 21, 2025
  • Complaint against the City of Saint Paul by the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus
  • Caucus Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
  • Affidavit of Bryan Strawser
  • Affidavit of Mitchell Berg
  • Affidavit of Ashley Scharffbillig
  • Affidavit of Brandon Flesher
  • Attorney Certification regarding Notice and the need for Ex parte Relief
• November 26, 2025
  • Order denying Motion for Temporary Restraining Order
• December 11, 2025
  • City of Saint Paul’s Memorandum of Law in Opposition to the Caucus’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
• December 15, 2025
  • Caucus’s Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
• December 23, 2025
  • City of Saint Paul’s Memorandum of Law in Support of its Motion to Dismiss
• January 12, 2026
  • Order Denying Temporary Injunction
• January 13, 2026
  • Caucus’s Amended Complaint for Declaratory Relief
• January 22, 2026
  • Scheduling Order

Counsel of Record

In this case, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus is represented by Rob Doar, General Counsel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the text of the ordinance?

You can read the text of the ordinance on the City of Saint Paul website.

Want to support our legal & litigation efforts?

Our affiliated 501(c)(3), the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center, underwrites the majority of our legal action efforts.

You can make a tax-deductible donation directly to our Support Fund at this link.