MPR: A Hidden Threat?

A Hidden Threat?
By Michael Khoo
October 13 1999

Minnesota's House Crime Prevention Committee is again exploring options for changing Minnesota's law on concealed handguns. Last night, the committee took public testimony on a proposal that would make it easier for some Minnesotans to carry concealed weapons.

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MINNESOTA ALREADY HAS A LAW allowing permits for concealed handguns in limited circumstances. To be approved, an applicant must demonstrate an occupational or personal safety hazard. And local law-enforcement agencies maintain wide discretion in denying or granting the permit. Republican state Representative Linda Boudreau of Faribault says the current system is arbitrary and confusing.

Boudreau: I have testimony and there was some that was to be presented by a police officer - a police officer - that can't get a concealed-carry permit just simply because he lives within the city limits. Now, he moved at one time and he was under the sheriff's jurisdiction and he did receive a permit. But then the city annexed the property that he lived on and he again was denied when he went to renew.

Boudreau says the concealed-carry policy should be uniform across the state and, consequently, she has authored so-called "shall issue" legislation. It would require local sheriffs to issue concealed-weapons permits to any Minnesotan over 21 who is legally eligible to own a handgun and can demonstrate firearm competency. DFL state representative Wes Skoglund of Minneapolis opposes the change. He says liberalizing concealed weapons-laws will only increase the level of violence.

Skoglund: You're going to have to issue the gun to anybody who demands it. The local window peeker, the shoplifter, the town drunk, the town bully, the town thug, a person who everybody knows lives on the edge of mental stability or barely follows the law is going to be able to get a gun and to carry it around loaded. And loaded guns in public, more loaded guns in public, is not going to result in less crime, it's going to result in more crime and more violence. Period.

Supporters of easing the concealed-carry law contend that far from encouraging crime, the change would act as a deterrent by empowering ordinary Minnesotans with a means of defense. Donna Ellringer represents the Park Avenue Block Club in Minneapolis's Phillips neighborhood. She says she would feel safer carrying a concealed handgun.

Ellringer: You know, quite frankly a lot of the criminals out on the streets are carrying guns. So am I supposed to stand out there undefensive with nothing on me? When the bullets fly? I've seen bullets fly. I've seen people die. I've prayed over young men that were dying from gunshots. We had three homicides in the last month within a six-day period within four blocks of my house. I heard all the gunfire and I knew that someone had died.

Ellringer says she hasn't applied for gun permit because she doesn't believe she would be granted one. Under the Boudreau bill, however, a permit would be guaranteed. But Minneapolis City Council member Brian Herron says arming the general population is simply not the answer.

Herron: I have not read anywhere where there have been successful communities that have rid themselves of negative elements because they all armed themselves. But what I have read is when the came together and began to hold elected officials accountable, began to change the mind-set and the thinking, and the no tolerance, and set a standard for their community...those negative elements had to go.

Proposals similar to Boudreau's were offered during the last legislative session, but didn't advance beyond the House committee. Boudreau says she hopes she can build more support during the 2000 session.

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