House Speaker Defers Assault-Weapon Ban, Prompting Daughter’s Public Rebuke

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, let a Senate-passed bill banning assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and untraceable “ghost guns” expire without a vote as the 2025 session adjourned. Her daughter, Shelisa Demuth, a 2003 Rocori High School shooting survivor, publicly rebuked the inaction.

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Minnesota has faced three recent high-profile shootings: the 2003 Rocori attack that killed two students; the Annunciation Catholic School shooting that killed two children and injured 28; and the politically motivated killing of Rep. Melissa Hortman (D). In February, Governor Tim Walz called the bill “common sense measures” and an opportunity to improve public safety.

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• February 2025 – Gov. Walz describes the bill as “common sense measures.”

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• May 11, 2025 – Walz tweets that victims want a vote on gun-violence prevention.

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• May 2025 – Speaker Demuth defers the bill; Shelisa Demuth posts criticism on Threads.

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The bill targeted assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and ghost guns. Recent incidents include two fatalities in 2003, two fatalities and 28 injuries at Annunciation Catholic School, and Rep. Hortman’s killing.

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Governor Walz called the legislation a “common sense” step to make Minnesota safer and urged lawmakers to let voters see their positions on gun-violence prevention. Everytown for Gun Safety called the Senate-passed measure a “critical step forward” for public safety. The Senate’s approval signaled bipartisan concern; the House took no action before adjournment.

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Shelisa Demuth accused her mother of “conveniently deferring” the bill despite being a mother of two shooting victims. Parents of Annunciation Catholic School victims and DFL members expressed fury, arguing the decision jeopardized community safety.

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• “[I]magine being the first House Speaker in state history who is also the mother of two school shooting victims and conveniently deferring a gun control bill to the next legislative session,” — Shelisa Demuth, survivor and daughter of the speaker

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• “All the victims are asking for is a vote on gun violence prevention. If Republicans are against it, they can vote no. But Minnesotans deserve to know where their representatives stand.” — Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota

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• “critical step forward in efforts to strengthen public safety and reduce gun violence across the state.” — Everytown For Gun Safety

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• “common sense measures” — Tim Walz, describing the bill

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Lisa Demuth’s gubernatorial campaign will face scrutiny in the November 2025 election, and the assault-weapon ban is expected to be reconsidered in the next legislative session. Advocacy groups say they will press for a vote before that session ends.

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