Governor‑elect Amy Klobuchar, a longtime Minnesota senator who campaigned as a moderate, announced on a press conference that she intends to move forward with a gun‑safety bill she described as a “top priority” for her upcoming administration. The statement, made shortly after her November victory, has ignited a wave of criticism from conservative voices and pro‑Second Amendment organizations across the state.
Bill details and Klobuchar’s position
The legislation in question is Senate File 4067, an omnibus gun‑control package that passed the Minnesota Senate 34‑33 earlier this year but has yet to receive a vote in the House. The bill would prohibit federally licensed firearms dealers from selling certain semiautomatic rifles, including AR‑15‑style weapons, and would ban large‑capacity magazines that hold more than 17 rounds.
Current owners would be allowed to keep the covered firearms and magazines, but they would be required to obtain an ownership certification from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and renew it every three years. Possessing an uncertified weapon or magazine would be classified as a gross misdemeanor, with repeat violations potentially escalating to a felony.
Klobuchar said, “The gun safety bill is going to get passed, and I am so excited to be working with the leaders on this, and it certainly should be one of our top priorities. I think that bill makes a lot of sense. I’m sure that we’ll make some changes … but the basics of that bill I hope will remain in place.” She added that she remains committed to moving Minnesota forward without shifting the state dramatically to the left or right.
Conservative backlash
Conservative commentator Steve Guest, writing on X, accused Democrats of caring only about taking away Second Amendment rights. “Democrats don’t care about affordability. They only care about taking away our Second Amendment rights,” Guest wrote.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) also weighed in, stating, “In one of her first acts as governor‑elect, Sen. @amyklobuchar affirmed that she will go after Minnesotans’ firearms under the guise of ‘safety.’” Minnesota attorney and former immigration judge Nathan Hansen added, “When Amy Klobuchar told you over and over she was going to do a top‑to‑bottom audit, she meant of your guns, not your tax dollars.”
Other critics, including Republican state Rep. Ben Davis, urged Minnesotans to “Resist,” while conservative influencer Gunther Eagleman warned, “Amy Klobuchar isn’t even sworn in and she’s already coming for Minnesota’s rifles.”
Context and political landscape
Klobuchar defeated Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth by 13 points in the recent gubernatorial race, succeeding Gov. Tim Walz, who withdrew from re‑election amid a fraud scandal. While Klobuchar has positioned herself as a centrist, the gun‑safety proposal aligns with broader Democratic efforts to address gun violence, a point that continues to divide rural and urban voters in Minnesota.
Fox News Digital reached out to Klobuchar’s team for clarification on which aspects of the bill she supports, but no comment was received at the time of publication.
What’s next?
The bill now awaits a vote in the Minnesota House. If passed, the certification requirement and magazine restrictions would become law, potentially reshaping the state’s firearms landscape. Supporters argue the measures are necessary for public safety, while opponents contend they infringe on constitutional rights and place undue burdens on law‑abiding gun owners.
As the new administration prepares to take office in January, Minnesotans can expect further debate on the balance between safety and Second Amendment freedoms, a conversation that will likely shape the political climate throughout Klobuchar’s term.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
