So much for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s veto threats. He signed a public safety bill Friday that “include(s) granting reciprocity for concealed carry permits from other states, legalizing gun suppressors – sometimes called ‘silencers,’ and allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring handguns in to the state Capitol.” Under the new law, SF 878, Minnesotans will be able to legally purchase and own suppressors if they do so under the restrictions of federal law. The law limits the ability of authorities to confiscate firearms during designated emergencies. The possession of a permit to carry now constitutes the notification required to carry in court houses and certain state buildings. People with a permit will not have to notify authorities prior to carrying in those areas . . .
Minnesota residents may now purchase firearms in any state in which it is allowed by that state’s law and the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Recognition of permits from other states is changed from a list of states with “subtantially similar” permit laws, to recognizing all state permits except those that are not “similar”, with the list of those which are not similar to be published on the Internet by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor. The list of states that are not similar must be published anually. The law goes into effect on 1 August, so we shall see if the Commissioner publishes a list before that date.
These reforms passed with considerable bipartisan support and with large, veto-proof margins. And because they were attached to an appropriations bill a veto would have caused significant political problems for the Democrat. He would have shut down the state government. So he signed the bill and took credit for the achievement.
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