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Straw gun buyers now risk felony charges in Minnesota
Until now it has only been a gross misdemeanor in state law to buy a gun for someone who is prohibited.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Buying a firearm for someone who’s legally barred from owning one is now a felony offense in Minnesota, punishable by up to two years in prison. If that firearm is used in the commission of a violent crime, the sentence will grow to five years behind bars.
Minnesota’s new straw purchaser law went into effect Thursday, signaling a new era in combatting firearms trafficking and violent crimes in the state. Until now, it was classified as a gross misdemeanor, which is why those cases were often turned over to federal prosecutors who could bring more serious charges under federal codes.
Gov. Tim Walz held a press conference at Bloomington City Hall to highlight the change and thank lawmakers for passing the bill during the 2024 Session.
“I’m just grateful there’s a vision to make Minnesota safer, there’s a vision to get guns off the streets,” Gov. Walz told reporters.
“That there’s a vision to reduce gun violence with absolutely no infringement on those who lawfully own guns who use them for things many of us cherish.”
Bloomington Chief Booker Hodges said people need to think twice if someone asks them to buy a gun.
“If someone goes and asks you to go to the store and buy them milk, that’s okay. If someone asks you to go buy them a gun, like Gru here, the light bulb should go off,” Hodges said, while holding a printout of a scene from the Despicable Me movie.
“Why is someone asking you to buy them a gun?”
The idea gained new momentum this year after Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were murdered during a stand-off in February.
Authorities say the killer, Shannon Gooden, used weapons his girlfriend Ashley Dyrdahl bought for him because he was prohibited from owning one due to prior felony conviction. Dyrdahl has been charged in federal court with illegally purchasing firearms for Gooden, who died from a self-inflicted wound after ambushing his victims.
“Our first responders, those who heed the sacred call to protect and serve warrant every protection we can give them,” Rep. Kaela Berg of Burnsville, the Democrat who was the main author of the bill in the House, told reporters.
Previously prosecutors had to prove that the straw buyer knew the recipient of the gun was barred from having one, but the law that went into effect Thursday adds the line ““or reasonably should have known” the person was prohibited from possessing the firearm.
Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the new straw purchaser law will be another tool for the BCA and law enforcement partners to help clamp down on violent crimes and arms trafficking to those who have lost their right to possess a firearm.
“You don’t have to pull the trigger to be held accountable when a violent crime occurs in Minnesota,” Evans said.
“So, you should think twice before you decide to buy a firearm for an individual that’s prohibited from possessing it because you will be held accountable with a felony.”
Republicans voted against the bill because it also included a ban on binary triggers. Those triggers, most often sold as an aftermarket accessory, allow for a second bullet to be fired upon the release of the trigger. The law bans any trigger that allows more than one round to be fired with a single squeeze.
That part of the law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025. It will make those triggers illegal, whether or not they’re installed on a firearm.
Sen. Ron Latz, who chairs the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, acknowledged the binary trigger law may invite legal challenges. The timing of those lawsuits is uncertain.
“It probably would come into effect if someone is charged with a criminal violation of it,” Sen. Latz said.
“The criminal defense may raise the constitutional issue. The court would have to determine if the issue is ripe and if there is standing for it.”
The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office said that determining the identity of the remains will be a lengthy process.
TWO RIVERS, Wis. — The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after skeletal remains were found on private property on Saturday.
A local deer hunter came upon the remains in Two Rivers, which is the same town where 3-year-old Elijah Vue was last seen.
“We are fully aware of the ongoing case of missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue, who disappeared in February. However, at this time, we are unable to confirm if the remains discovered are related to this case,” said the sheriff’s office in a Facebook post.
The office added that determining the identity of the remains will be a lengthy process.
“The Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Wisconsin State Crime Lab, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Anthropology Department, Two Rivers Police Department, and the Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office,” said the statement.
The youngster was last seen at a residence in Two Rivers, where prosecutors said his mother had sent him to stay with her boyfriend.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
A manager at a mall business told KARE 11 the mall was not placed in lockdown, but police asked customers and clients to stay inside.
BLAINE, Minn. — Multiple law enforcement agencies have responded to the Northtown Mall for reports of a shooting, dispatchers confirmed to KARE 11.
A manager at a mall business told KARE 11 the mall was not placed in lockdown, but police asked customers and clients to stay inside.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Darnold, who signed as a free agent after being a backup in San Francisco last season, was 19 of 24 for 208 yards and one interception that came on a deflected pass.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Sam Darnold threw two touchdown passes in a highly efficient performance and Andrew Van Ginkel scored on a spectacular one-handed 10-yard interception return to lead the Minnesota Vikings to an easy 28-6 victory over the woeful New York Giants on Sunday.
Darnold, who played his home games at MetLife Stadium for three seasons after being taken No. 3 overall by the Jets in 2018, had touchdown passes of 3 yards to Justin Jefferson and 21 to Jalen Nailor in his Vikings debut.
Darnold also had a 22-yard pass to Josh Oliver to help set up Aaron Jones’ 3-yard TD run that put Minnesota ahead 7-3 late in the first quarter and got Kevin O’Connell’s team off to a good start as it looked to rebound from a disappointing 7-10 season.
Van Ginkel’s left-handed grab of Daniel Jones’ swing pass deep in his own territory late in the third quarter put an exclamation point on a solid defensive performance by Brian Flores’ unit and had Giants fans booing loudly as they headed to the exits down 28-6.
Darnold, who signed as a free agent after being a backup in San Francisco last season, was 19 of 24 for 208 yards and one interception that came on a deflected pass.
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Jefferson had four catches for 59 yards, with his TD coming on a quick slant on a fourth-down pass. It capped a 99-yard drive that he ignited with a 44-yard catch.
Graham Gano kicked field goals of 23 and 50 yards for the Giants, who played just like the team that posted a 6-11 record last season.
Jones, who was coming off major knee surgery, did not play well and got little help from either his new revamped offensive line or his receivers. First-round draft pick Malik Nabers had five receptions for 66 yards, including two for 25 yards.
Jones finished 22 of 42 for 186 yards and two interceptions.
Giants co-owner and chief executive John Mara said after last season he wanted to see significant progress this year. But New York did little on offense with coach Brian Daboll taking over the play calling and the Giants got little pressure on Darnold despite acquiring edge rusher Brian Burns from Carolina in the offseason.
Vikings: WR Jordan Addison was ruled out after an ankle injury in the second half.
Giants: Returner Gunner Olszewski aggravated a groin injury in pregame warmups and did not play. WR Darius Slayton handled punt returns and running backs Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy had kickoffs. … LB Carter Coughlin, who was elevated off the practice squad, sustained a first-half pectoral injury. … CB Nick McCloud left in the second half with a knee injury.
