Walz, DFL Leaders Launch Statewide Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall Series

Walz, DFL Leaders Launch Statewide Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall Series

WACONIA, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz and leaders from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party launched a statewide series of “Gun Violence Prevention Town Halls” on Saturday, October 25, with the first event drawing hundreds of residents to Waconia High School.

The town hall — titled “Stand Up for Gun Violence Prevention: A Minnesota Town Hall” — brought together elected officials, advocates, educators, and community members to discuss the urgent need for gun safety legislation in Minnesota. Former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, a leading national advocate for gun reform and survivor of a 2011 assassination attempt, headlined the event.

Governor Walz said the series is meant to take the conversation “out of the State Capitol and into communities,” following the recent breakdown in legislative negotiations over new gun safety measures. Talks collapsed earlier this month amid partisan disagreements on proposals that included an assault weapons ban and expanded background checks.

Calls for Action Amid Legislative Impasse

Standing alongside Giffords, Walz urged Minnesotans to continue pressing lawmakers for meaningful action. Giffords, whose organization has long pushed for stronger federal and state gun laws, encouraged attendees to “never stop fighting” for change.

The panel also featured educators, physicians, and parents directly affected by gun violence. Among them was Tess Rada, the mother of a student at Annunciation Catholic School, where a mass shooting in August traumatized children and families. “I understand that guns are a part of American life and the right to own them is constitutionally protected,” Rada said. “But the cost of these particular weapons is simply too high.”

DFL legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and House Majority Leader Zack Stephenson, emphasized that the goal of the town hall series is to build public momentum for reform. “Minnesotans want action to make our communities safer,” Murphy said.

Pushback and Next Steps

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus criticized the Waconia event, calling it “political theater” and arguing that such gatherings do little to foster bipartisan solutions. Republican lawmakers have similarly said that future gun legislation must be balanced with investments in mental health and school safety.

Despite the political divide, organizers framed the event as a community-based approach to addressing gun violence. Walz said that while consensus at the Capitol has been difficult to achieve, “the conversation must continue — and it starts with Minnesotans.”

The Waconia forum marks the first in a series of gun violence prevention town halls planned across the state. DFL officials announced that the next event, titled “The Fight for Gun Violence Prevention: Minnesota Town Halls,” will take place November 6 in Rochester, with additional stops to follow in other Minnesota cities.

MinneapoliMedia