Story perspectives

Minnesota Senate Passes Assault-Weapon Ban, Funds $20M School Safety

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Minnesota Senate approved an assault-weapon ban by a 34-33 vote, the chamber’s first such passage.
The measure bans assault-style firearms and high-capacity magazines, moving to the House and governor.
The omnibus also allocates $20 million for school-safety upgrades and mental-health services.
Senators Grant Hauschild, Judy Seeberger and Rob Kupec cast the decisive votes after appeals from families affected by the Annunciation shooting, prompting Republican leaders to doubt passage in the House.

History

Historical Context

After the 1989 Stockton school shooting that killed five children, Congress passed the Federal Assault Weapons Ban in August 1994, signed by President Bill Clinton and targeting 19 rifle models; the ten-year law expired in September 2004. Decades later, Minnesota’s 2024 Senate vote reinstated a similar ban, echoing the earlier federal effort despite NRA opposition.

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Story summary

Minnesota Senate approved an assault-weapon ban by a 34-33 vote, the chamber’s first such passage.
The measure bans assault-style firearms and high-capacity magazines, moving to the House and governor.
The omnibus also allocates $20 million for school-safety upgrades and mental-health services.
Senators Grant Hauschild, Judy Seeberger and Rob Kupec cast the decisive votes after appeals from families affected by the Annunciation shooting, prompting Republican leaders to doubt passage in the House.

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