State of Minnesota secondary Archives: on Gun Control
Chris Coleman:
Get guns off the street; redirect youth onto positive paths
Mayor Chris Coleman announced at a press conference with the Police Chief and leaders from the African American community that he is taking three immediate steps to strengthen Saint Paul's police response to the recent uptick in gun violence:-
increasing the overtime budget for officers through the summer
- adding five additional sworn officers to the department, bringing the total force to a historic 620
- and committing to permanent funding for the Community Ambassador Program.
"This past week, we have seen an explosion in gun violence across the city, resulting in too many lives lost, too many parents grieving, and too many families shattered," said Mayor Coleman.
The Mayor also stressed the importance of working directly with the community, and thanked the God Squad for their continued support of city efforts to get guns off the street, and redirect youth onto positive paths.
Source: St. Paul MN Mayoral office press release, "Gun Violence"
Apr 20, 2016
Heather Johnson:
Even non-violent MLK kept guns at home for self-defense
Retaining the right to bear arms aided many during the civil rights movement. Gandhi considered violent self-defense a better choice for the weak to passiveness even though it was not in line with his personal convictions.
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., had guns at his home for protection despite his nonviolent protests, as well as many other civil rights activists.
The fact is, for marginalized people, oppressed people; the right to bear arms is of great service. Resistance movements during times of oppression around the world throughout human history were more likely to defend themselves with violent means
than nonviolent. In fact, passive protests aren't necessarily the most common in defeating tyrannical forces. History shows dictators often removed with violent means.
Source: E-mail interview on 2014 MN Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Aug 18, 2014
Heather Johnson:
Right to self-defense and right to rebel
Q: Do you support an absolute right to gun ownership?A: Yes, everyone has a right to self-defense and the right to rebel against a tyrannical government. No one has the right to commit crimes of force upon others,
but limiting the right of law-abiding citizens does not address the cause of violent crime. What it does do is limit a fundamental right to protecting and defending life, liberty, and property.
Source: E-mail interview on 2014 MN Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Aug 18, 2014
Scott Jensen:
Against background checks; for Stand-Your-Ground
The 2nd Amendment is to be Protected. Dr. Jensen believes in the constitutional right of every law-abiding citizen to protect themselves and their family.
Scott sides with the Constitution, and our right to defend ourselves.Q: If universal background checks were passed, would you sign it?
Jensen: No I would not.
Q: If red flag laws were passed, would you sign it?
Jensen: No I would not.
Q: If they sent an anti-Red Flag law to your desk, would you sign it?
Dr. Scott Jensen: Yes, I would sign that.
Q: If a Stand Your Ground law got passed, would sign it?
Jensen: Yes, I would. I signed onto two Stand Your Ground bills already.
Source: 2021-22 MN Gubernatorial campaign website DrScottJensen.com
May 10, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023