Lawmakers from Northland mixed on firearms background checks

Despite a statewide poll released this week showing more than 70 percent of Minnesotans -- including majorities of gun owners and Republicans -- supporting universal background checks for all firearms purchases, many Northeastern Minnesota lawmakers still oppose the idea.

Lawmakers in fact appear headed in another direction, favoring gun advocates' proposals over the majority of Minnesotans who say they want action that might help prevent unstable or dangerous people from acquiring and using guns.

At the Capitol today, gun advocates are expected to offer a less-restrictive package of proposals, including provisions to restrict the mentally ill from obtaining guns but not requiring broader background checks or restricting any kind of firearms sales.

Over the past two days, the News Tribune attempted to contact the 13 state lawmakers who represent Northeastern Minnesota to ask them if they support universal background checks for all gun purchases. Some didn't return phone calls or e-mails. And of those that did, several declined to fully answer the questions.

A Star Tribune Minnesota Poll released Sunday showed that more than 70 percent of all respondents support background checks for all gun sales, including for guns sold privately or at gun shows. That huge majority included 60 percent of gun owners and 64 percent of Republicans. The poll found that only 25 percent oppose such a broadening of background checks, while 3 percent are undecided.

As of now, background checks are required only for sales of handguns and semiautomatics from licensed dealers such as sporting goods stores. Checks are not required for gun purchases between friends, relatives, neighbors and strangers -- whether in person, over the Internet or in gun shows.

After recent mass murders involving firearms, gun control legislation such as the expansion of background checks has been introduced at the capitol in St. Paul. Former Duluth City Councilor and now state Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, introduced a bill last week that would require background checks for handguns and semi-automatic, military-style assault weapons, but would exclude traditional hunting rifles. It also would not apply to gun transfers among relatives. The National Rifle Association vehemently opposes the bill.

Here's how Northland lawmakers responded to the News Tribune question:

Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth:

"There is not yet specific language in the Minnesota Senate defining a 'universal background check.' I do support some expansion of background checks, especially to close the loophole for sales at gun shows."