Silencers, other gun measures head to House

Published 10:17 am Thursday, April 16, 2015

ST. PAUL — A handful of gun bills are ready for a final vote.

The Minnesota House was expected to take up bills Thursday that would legalize gun silencers and remove a requirement that gun permit owners notify state officials before bringing a firearm onto Capitol grounds. Other measures were also set for a vote.

It’s a big change from the last time gun legislation heated up at the Capitol. Gun rights advocates successfully fought a Democrat-led move to expand background checks after the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school in 2013.

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The silencer bill generated the most discussion when a House committee passed it last month. Opponents worried silencers would aid criminals. Supporters call them suppressors and say they help reduce harmful noise for hunting and range shooting.