PRESS RELEASE: Walz Signs Executive Orders After Gun Control Push Fails in Legislature

Governor Tim Walz signed two executive orders today related to gun violence prevention after failing to gain enough support in the Legislature for his proposed bans on commonly owned firearms.

Despite full DFL control of the Minnesota Senate and a tied House of Representatives, Walz was unable to build consensus within his own party or secure a single Republican vote for his preferred policies. With no legislative path forward, the Governor has turned to executive actions focused on public education, data collection, and the creation of a new “Statewide Safety Council.”

“Privately, the Governor was promising sweeping executive actions and didn’t seem to care if he got sued. We’ve heard that directly from multiple sources,” said Bryan Strawser, Chair of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. “What we got today were low-impact orders that serve more as political cover than meaningful policy. It’s a distraction from the fact that the Governor couldn’t build support for his agenda within his own party.”

The newly announced Statewide Safety Council raises serious concerns. The council is composed entirely of appointed officials and pro–gun control advocates, with no representation from the Second Amendment community. Like similar advisory panels in the past, it appears designed to deliver predetermined recommendations aligned with the Governor’s policy goals rather than to provide balanced input or genuine stakeholder engagement.

During today’s press conference, Governor Walz attacked Speaker Lisa Demuth, Republican leaders, and the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, while refusing to explain why many DFL lawmakers declined to support his proposals to ban so-called assault weapons and standard-capacity magazines. When pressed on why he has not called a special session, he deflected by demonizing Republicans — despite the fact that authority rests solely with the Governor.

The Governor’s authority to act by executive order, particularly on issues affecting constitutional rights, is limited by Minnesota law and the Second Amendment. These safeguards exist to prevent executive overreach when legislative consensus does not exist.

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus will continue to engage with lawmakers, defend the rights of peaceable gun owners, and advocate for real solutions that address violent crime and Minnesota’s ongoing mental health crisis.