Walz ceremoniously signs bill strengthening straw purchasing law
The dome of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul is shown in this photo from Thursday, Jan. 25, 2025. The Minnesota Legislature convenes for its 2024 session on Monday, Feb. 12. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski)
Gov. Tim Walz participated in a ceremonial signing on Monday for a bill that increases penalties for straw purchases of firearms.
Straw purchasing is when a person buys a gun for someone else who isn’t legally allowed to own one.
Walz was joined by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, some state lawmakers and police leaders from the St. Paul and Eagan departments for the event, during which they all touted the measure as another tool to combat gun violence.
The new bill changes the crime from a gross misdemeanor to a felony. That means a conviction would be punishable by up to two years in prison and an aggravating factor could push the penalty up to five years in prison.
The bill passed in the state Senate in early May on a party-line vote of 34-33, with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans voting against. A few days before that, the bill passed in the House by a vote of 71-59.
RELATED: Minnesota House approves safe gun storage standards, tougher penalties for straw purchasing
As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Walz officially signed the bill into law late last month. “Another step forward,” Walz said Monday as he signed the bill.
“If someone asks you to buy a gun for them, that should be a red flag,” Assistant St. Paul Police Chief Paul Ford said. “Your first question should be ‘Why?’ and your answer should be ‘No.'”
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