The River Heights Chamber of Commerce was represented by Chamber President Jennifer Gale at the Coalition for Common Sense last week. Also in attendance were Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie and Hastings Police Chief Bryan Schafer. Former Hastings Police Chief Paul Schell, now employed by the city of Maplewood, attended as did Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom who released this statement, ?During my 29 years as a prosecutor here in Minnesota, I?ve had a front row seat not only on the adverse impact gun violence has upon Minnesota?s families, but to the barriers prosecutors and law enforcement face in keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, the status quo is dangerous – and it is unacceptable. That?s why it?s time for our leaders here in Minnesota to take some steps to keep guns out of the wrong hands.?
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords, her husband astronaut Mark Kelly and other were in Minnesota to attend several events supporting gun safety and legislation that call for closing the loopholes in Minnesota law that let felons, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill buy guns in Minnesota without a criminal background check;Ensuring lawmakers and stakeholders have the resources and training they need to prevent gun violence and strengthen existing laws; and, strengthening federal criminal background checks system by making sure it contains states? records. At a stop in West St. Paul, Gale shared the support of the Chamber, a position that she deems unique, but necessary.
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