Lawmakers who want changes in Minnesota’s gun laws are applauding the thousands of students who marched to the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon, demanding reforms. Jacob, a student at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield says, “We’re the ones affected by this and it’s our duty as students to be constantly in the sight of our legislators and constantly force this issue, force the discussion, and cause something to happen.”
Democratic Representative Peggy Flanagan from Saint Louis Park says, “I think that these are the folks who are… gonna get it done, and they’re gonna hold us all accountable — and they should. And I’m so excited and just cheering ’em on.” Democrats, including Governor Mark Dayton, are pushing for background checks on all firearms sales. Opponents say that will do nothing to reduce mass shootings in schools.
Cretin Derham Hall student Will Dusek says lawmakers should ban sales of assault weapons. “It is not okay for somebody that’s 18 to walk in with a couple thousand dollars and just a license and I-D, and walk out with a fully-automatic assault rifle. That’s not okay and that should not be happening in this country.”
Interviews with two students at the march: