Gun Laws And 2a
Minnesota Gun-Rights Group Threatens Lawsuit as Edina Drafts Local Firearms Ordinance
Minnesota Gun-Rights Group Threatens Lawsuit as Edina Drafts Local Firearms Ordinance
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Edina, Minnesota
Edina, Minn. November 13, 2025 The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has warned the City of Edina that it will file an immediate lawsuit if the city enacts a proposed local firearms ordinance a move the group says would violate state law that reserves gun regulation to the Minnesota Legislature. This legal warning comes on the heels of a directive from the Edina City Council on October 22, instructing city staff to draft local gun-violence prevention measures alongside a resolution calling for state lawmakers to repeal Minnesotas firearms preemption statute. The council members expressed frustration that state law obstructs cities from enforcing their own firearms regulations, which they believe are necessary to address issues surrounding the use of assault-style weapons, large-capacity magazines, and ghost guns. During a recent council meeting, one member openly remarked, Were going to make some racket about it and tell you we think its wrong, emphasizing the citys intent to pursue legislative changes to empower local oversight of firearm regulations. In response, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus (MGOC) issued public statements decrying the proposed actions as unlawful. The group highlighted how the states preemption statute restricts local governments from establishing firearm ordinances beyond what is stated in state law, characterizing their intention to proceed with a legal challenge should Edina move forward with its measures. According to Minnesota Statute 471.633, the legislature preempts all authority to regulate firearms, ammunition, or their respective components by local governments, signifying that cities can only regulate the discharge of firearms or enact ordinances that mirror the provisions of state law. Legal experts have long noted that this statute serves as a critical boundary when discussing municipal gun control measures. Edina is not an isolated case; there is a growing trend of similar initiatives among Minnesota cities. Just a day prior, on November 12, the City of Saint Paul adopted its own gun-violence prevention ordinance banning certain assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines, although the authors of the measure readily admitted its enforceability hinges on the state legislature lifting preemption. The swift filing of a lawsuit by gun-rights groups against this ordinance illustrates the contentious dynamics of local firearm governance in the state. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has established a reputation for litigating such issues effectively, previously challenging and striking down parts of Minnesotas 2024 omnibus gun law in Ramsey County. The group's persistence in asserting Second Amendment rights identifies the exemptions that local or improperly enacted firearm restrictions may face against Minnesota law. Edina officials are also considering encouraging the Legislature to revisit 471.633, which would enable local authorities to enact personalized firearm regulations more suited to community needs. City staff are set to present draft ordinances for review and public comment in the coming weeks, which signals a blend of policy-making and advocacy for enhanced state-level gun safety legislation. However, the path ahead remains fraught with complexity. Analysts have remarked that municipalities are left with scant options when it comes to establishing effective local firearm policies: they can either lobby for the repeal of 471.633, enact identical measures to state law, or expose themselves to litigation that could render any ordinance ineffective while incurring legal costs. The ongoing cycle of municipal initiatives followed by immediate legal pushback suggests that Minnesotas fraught debate over local firearm regulations is heading toward either courtroom battles or state legislative resolutions. City staff are expected to provide a draft for the Edina City Councils review later this month, and if the proposed measures extend beyond state restrictions, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus is prepared to act swiftly, filing suit to protect their interpretation of Second Amendment rights. The ongoing tension indicates that this issue is far from settled. As of now, both the Edina city officials and the MGOC are remaining silent on any new court filings. The current discourse is being shaped by public statements, council records, and recorded meetings that clarify each side's positions and highlight the growing divide concerning gun governance in the state.