A guy who makes late-night deliveries can carry a handgun for protection while he goes about his work, assuming he has a legal permit and his boss doesn’t mind.
County prosecutors, who try to send violent people to prison for a living, can’t carry a handgun anytime they are on the work clock.
The tragic shooting of a county prosecutor and a witness in a Grand Marais courthouse recently shows the need to amend the state’s conceal/carry gun law.
Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell was shot by Daniel Schlienz, who had just been convicted of criminal sexual conduct.
There have been other acts of violence at or near courthouses in Minnesota, often directed at prosecutors. While some courthouses have metal detectors and screen everyone coming in, most do not. Equipping courthouses with detectors is not financially feasible.
State Rep. Tony Cornish, who had been working on a bill to allow prosecutors to carry guns for protection has gotten more support and attention for the idea since the Cook County shooting. Blue Earth County Ross Arneson is among prosecutors who favor the change.
The current gun law prohibits county, city or township employees from carrying guns during work. Cornish says he doesn’t want to change that, except to make the exception for county prosecutors and assistant prosecutors.
Prosecutors — who would still have to go through the same process of getting a permit as anyone else — would be able to carry a handgun in the hallways, offices, interview rooms and other areas where they work. But it would still be up to judges’ discretion on whether to allow prosecutors to carry in the courtroom.
Cornish says he sees no reason to expand the exemption to city attorneys who don’t prosecute serious misdemeanors or felony crimes.
Considering there have been virtually no problems among average citizens who legally carry guns — despite predictions of blood flowing in the streets when the law passed six years ago — it’s difficult to imagine any problems in allowing prosecutors to carrying a gun for protection.
Editorials
Related Photos
-
21toon-northkorea 12-27.tif
December 26, 2011
Our View: Gun law leaves prosecutors vulnerable
- Editorials
-
- Timing still legislative problem One can appreciate the deliberative, legislative process in Minnesota. We can respect the hours and hours of time legislators put in debating important issues. But time management seems to be an issue whatever party reins. This year is no different.
-
Legislature: Vows kept, mistakes made
There will be plenty for Gov. Mark Dayton and the DFL legislative majority to crow about this week after the conclusion of the session Monday night.
- Our View: Lakes reveal chemical abundance Even if your mother may not have had scientific data at her fingertips, she obviously knew what she was talking about when she said don't drink lake water. A new study makes that advice more important than ever and raises concerns about how we treat
- Press 'shield law' is a bad idea Press 'shield law' is a bad idea The Obama administration announced last week that it is throwing its support behind the press shield law that has been stalled in Congress since time immemorial. Critics insist that the administration, suddenly mired
-
Shelter for homeless right start
To Mankato civic leaders for, once again, stepping up to address a growing demand for shelter by homeless women. The needs appears to be dramatic and continuing even though the Theresa House, Welcome Inn shelters and the CADA House program for domest
- Our View: SEC should act on ratings conflicts Money talks. In the continuing dispute over the all-too-cozy relationship between the people who create and sell financial products and the people who rate their risk, the money says: Shut up and let us do what we want. Minnesota Sen. Al Franken and
- Time runs short for Legislature Focus, Minnesota legislators, as you have many details left So much for the theory that one party controlling Minnesota's House, Senate and governor's chair would mean fast work in St. Paul. Exactly one week from the end of the 2013 regular session a
- records' seizure harms free press This has not been a good week for President Obama. First it was learned that the Internal Revenue Service was targeting conservative organizations with special scrutiny, the practice of which the White House said it was unaware. Then news surfaced th
- Investigate IRS action on groups The revelation that the Internal Revenue Service was targeting conservative groups has drawn criticism from both parties. But the Wall Street Journal this week revealed that the scrutiny went beyond groups that had "tea party" or "patriot" in their n
- Military needs new approach in assault cases Just when you thought the sexual assault problems in the military couldn't get worse, two events emerged last week to prove you wrong. The chief of the Air Force sexual assault prevention branch was arrested on suspicion of drunkenly groping a woman
- More Editorials Headlines
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
