Republican lawmakers in Minnesota are looking to expand gun owners' rights in the state with three bills, Twin Cities Pioneer Press reported.
The first bill seeks to change the current Minnesota law that requires people to "retreat" in case of self-defense when they are not at home. It is frequently referred to as the "stand your ground" bill. The new law would allow deadly force to be applied in case of various assaults, arson, burglary, robbery, and kidnapping, the Pioneer Press reported.
Another bill focuses on constitutional carry, the right to carry a handgun without a permit because it is a right set forth in the Constitution. The third bill would reduce the handgun permit fee and not require the permit to be renewed.
"I think nationally, maybe because of fear of terrorism or crime, there's more interest than ever," Rep. Tony Cornish told the Pioneer Press.
"These same bills [are] being introduced all over the country," Marit Brock, a volunteer chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said in the Pioneer Press report, noting gun-rights expansion is under way in Texas and New Hampshire.
A fourth bill, which has not yet been introduced, would set up "reciprocity," which would allow gun permits from all other states to be recognized in Minnesota, the Pioneer Press report said.
Minnesota's Democratic governor, Mark Dayton, has vetoed such bills before, the Pioneer Press report said.
In 2012, Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington slammed the "stand your ground" and the no-permit gun carry bills.
"The biggest departments with the most urban crime were adamant that this put officers in danger," Chief Harrington said.
Sen. Warren Limmer said he would prefer state lawmakers to focus on "trying to turn the state into an economic engine."
The National Rifle Association is also focusing on increasing gun owners' rights, including nationwide reciprocity.
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