Gun Control Statement

Twenty-seven people were murdered with handguns in Minneapolis so far this year. Many more were injured. Injuries from hand guns constitute a significant threat to public health in Minneapolis, place a heavy financial burden on the health care system, and fear of gun violence erodes the quality of public life in Minneapolis.

For these reasons, the 5th Congressional District Green Party of Minnesota calls for:

• The establishment of municipal gun control ordinances with strong restrictions on the sale, use, handling, storage, or ownership of handguns, and heavy penalities for illegal hand gun use.
• State legislation that would allow local governments to enact their own municipal gun control laws.
• A state tax on hand guns and ammunition to provide funding for education and public health care costs associated with gun violence.

November 13, 2010