Two St. Paul residents, both veterans, gave opposing views at a City Council public hearing on a proposed ordinance on regulating firearms.

Ed Lorenz, a member of Veterans for Peace who served as an Army medic during the Vietnam War, said he understands “law-abiding people who collect technically complex things.”

“But given the danger of modern firearms, I cannot fathom why any sane person would oppose regulations to protect us from any use of these weapons against their fellow humans,” he said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Marine Corps veteran Ash Scharffbillig urged the city not to spend time on an ordinance that would be unenforceable.

“All it does is put an ordinance out there that causes confusion,” he said, adding that he’s concerned it could cause him to be considered a criminal “for simply owning an item of which I am legally allowed in the United States to own.”

Last month, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and suburban mayors called again on the state to repeal a preemption law that bars cities and counties from regulating firearms, ammunition or their components. They said they want to put in place local firearm-related ordinances to reduce violence.

The St. Paul City Council introduced an ordinance on Oct. 22, which would:

Ban the public possession of assault weapons, “large-capacity magazines, and binary triggers within city limits.” Binary triggers allow a semiautomatic weapon to fire both when the trigger is pulled and released, increasing its rate of fire.
“Require all firearms to have serial numbers and prohibit untraceable ‘ghost guns.’”
“Restrict firearms in sensitive public spaces including parks, libraries, recreation centers and city buildings.”
“Mandate clear signage at public facilities to inform residents and encourage compliance.”
“Establish penalties for violations and authorize enforcement by local public safety officials.”

It says it “is designed to take effect only upon the repeal, amendment, or judicial invalidation of state preemption laws that currently prohibit local regulation of firearms, ensuring legal enforceability while signaling the city’s readiness to act when empowered.”

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance next Wednesday.

Gun Owners Caucus says they’ll sue

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has informed St. Paul officials they will sue if the city enacts an ordinance. More than 700 people from around the state emailed the city council, through an email template set up by the caucus, urging them to vote “no.”

Rob Doar, the caucus’ general counsel, told the City Council during Wednesday’s public hearing that the law does not say “you can pass an ordinance as long as you don’t enforce it.”

He said council members can lobby their legislators or organize shows of support at the state Capitol, “but the one thing you can’t do is pass an ordinance that violates state law. Every dollar spent defending an illegal ordinance in court is a dollar that’s taken away from real public safety action, and I would implore you not to do that.”

Ten of the 14 people who addressed the City Council Wednesday spoke in favor of the ordinance.

Gretchen Damon, a Ward 3 resident involved with Moms Demand Action, said more than 5,000 people have joined the Minnesota chapter since the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis that resulted in 30 victims, of which two were students who were killed.

“If state lawmakers cannot move the needle on gun violence prevention, then local leaders need to get the job done,” she said. “Similar to the smoking ban in our city’s past, it will take community clamor to get us to the other side, where not only can we breathe smoke free air, but also inhabit bullet free spaces.”

Student recounts shots fired at park

Eli Voss, a 13-year-old St. Paul middle school student, recounted practicing with his flag football team at a public park last year when they heard gunshots “less than 100 feet away” as a man fired multiple shots at another man. He, his teammates and coach sprinted back to their school.

It “scared me and my teammates deeply, with some of my teammates telling me they had problems sleeping after that event,” he said. “I don’t want any kid to have to experience the feelings that me and my teammates felt, for which I can only describe as being absolutely terrified.”

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Dr. Sheldon Berkowitz, of Ward 1, a retired pediatrician and past president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, pointed to firearms being the leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States.

He said he understands the legal hurdles for the ordinance, but said it’s important for the council and the city to send “a clear message that they will do everything they can to prevent further gun violence.”

Mark Connor, of Ward 7, told the council he’s “100% against the ordinance.”

Referencing the Minneapolis police precinct being burned down in 2020 and looting after George Floyd was killed, he said, “Sometimes the police can’t be there. Sometimes we need to protect ourselves.”