Press Release: Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus opposes nomination of Brian O’Hara as Minneapolis Police Chief

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, the trusted voice of Minnesota’s law-abiding gun owners to defend and restore the right to keep and bear arms, announces its opposition to the nomination of anti-gun, failed police leader Brian O’Hara as Chief of Police for the City of Minneapolis.

“Brian O’Hara has a poor track record as a law enforcement leader, as demonstrated by his record as Public Safety Director and Deputy Mayor in Newark, New Jersey, ” stated Bryan Strawser, Chair.  “During his 21 years as a member of the Newark Police Department, the department was the subject of a yearslong probe by the US Department of Justice where widespread constitutional violations & lax oversight were found, including the  ‘stark and unremitting disparity in police treatment of Black residents’. Mr. O’hara has also demonstrated no respect for the constitutional right of citizens to keep and bear arms.”

“Despite O’Hara’s help in passing draconian and unconstitutional gun control laws in New Jersey, crime rose significantly, more than 13%, in Newark during O’Hara’s tenure as Public Safety Director, leading Mayor Ras Baraka to yank O’Hara from his role and move him to Deputy Mayor of the City, ” stated Rob Doar, Senior Vice President, Government Relations.

“Minneapolis needs a police chief who will focus on improving police & community relations while focusing on criminals and crime – not on restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens, ” added Strawser.  “Newark PD under Brian O’Hara’s watch reflects failing grades for police-community relations, racial disparities, and respect for the right to keep and bear arms. Minnesota does not need a police chief pushing the failed and unconstitutional gun control strategies of New Jersey here in our state.”

“Should the Minneapolis City Council approve this uniquely unqualified nominee as Chief of Police, we look forward to holding O’Hara accountable for his failed unconstitutional gun control policies when he inevitably tries to push for the same measures at the Minnesota State Capitol, ” added Doar.

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus will call upon its members to contact the Minneapolis City Council and urge them to reject this unqualified nominee.