Edina delays gun ordinance; public hearing planned amid state preemption
Edina's City Council postponed a vote on a proposed local firearms ordinance and Mayor James Hovland put the measure on hold pending a public hearing, saying it won't take effect until it can be enforced because Minnesota law preempts local gun bans. City staff drafted an ordinance mirroring St. Paul's plan, but the city attorney says it cannot set an effective date or direct police to enforce it until state law changes, and the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has threatened legal action.
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📌 Key Facts
- Edina City Council did not vote on the proposed gun-ban ordinance Tuesday; Mayor James Hovland put the measure on hold pending a public hearing.
- Hovland said there will be no ordinance until it can be enforced, citing Minnesota’s state preemption that limits local gun bans.
- City Manager Scott Neal drafted an ordinance modeled on St. Paul’s gun-ban proposal but said he cannot endorse it because it is currently unenforceable under state law.
- City Attorney David Kendall told the council the city cannot set an effective date for the ordinance or direct police to enforce it until state law changes.
- The push for local gun ordinances followed the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church shooting, and a special legislative session to change state law has not been called, leaving the ordinances unenforceable for now.
📰 Sources (2)
Edina gun control ordinance vote put on hold after council discussion
New information:
- Edina City Council did not vote on the gun-ban ordinance Tuesday; Mayor James Hovland put it on hold pending a public hearing.
- Hovland said there will be no ordinance until it can be enforced, citing Minnesota’s state preemption of local gun bans.
- City Manager Scott Neal drafted an ordinance mirroring St. Paul’s but said he cannot endorse it because it is currently unenforceable.
- City Attorney David Kendall said the city cannot set an effective date or direct police to enforce such an ordinance until state law changes.
- Context reiterated: cities moved after the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church shooting; a special session to change state law has not been called.