Richfield Lutheran Church Pastor Speaks Out Against Gun Bill

Under current Minnesota law, a person may not carry a pistol in a public place unless they are in possession of a permit to carry.

A new bill in the Minnesota House, HF188, as amended, would eliminate the permit requirement.

The Rev. Rolf Olson from Richfield Lutheran Church had a personal story for why he’s against the bill.

His 24-year-old daughter was killed when responding to a nanny ad on Craigslist. The 19-year-old perpetrator said he killed her because he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone.

“We have standards that people need to meet to graduate, to get a job, to drive a car. We have standards to get elected to the state Legislature,” he told lawmakers earlier this month.

“This bill would eliminate almost all standards to get a deadly weapon in this state. … How would that protect public safety?”

Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell noted there are education and training requirements needed to currently obtain a carry permit.

“HF188 eliminates those safety training requirements for those who choose to constitutionally carry. Allowing even people who have never handled a gun to carry one in public, we feel represents a significant community safety concern.”

The bill was heard on March 8, 2017, in the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee:

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