"MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) -
President Obama was in Minneapolis on Monday to discuss his gun control plan with law enforcement officials and address the nation on the administration's "common sense ideas" to reduce gun violence.
The president delivered his remarks at the Minneapolis Police Department Special Operations Center.
Read more: Obama gun laws: President pushes gun control plan in Minneapolis - KMSP-TV
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/20955969/obama-gun-laws-minneapolis-speech#ixzz2N5vfsidH
...
Obama entered a room packed with applauding officers and deputies, and he began by praising the law enforcement leaders for their efforts to reduce youth gun violence.
Before his speech, Obama met one-on-one with both law enforcement leaders and the victims of gun crimes, including Mayes' mother and Sami Rahamim, whose father was killed in the Accent Signage shooting.
"This is huge," Rahamim said. "Gun violence, or gun control, is a very divisive issue in this state."
Rahamim added that he thinks the president's visit -- and his call for people to let their representatives know their stance -- will result in action.
"There won't be perfect solutions, we won't save every life, but we can make a difference," Obama said in his speech.
Starting on Tuesday, Minnesota lawmakers will begin discussing a total of 15 gun safety bills at the Capitol. Six will be introduced in House committee on Tuesday alone.
Some of the bills call for bans on high capacity ammunition magazines, tougher background checks for gun buyers and more restrictions on gun show sales.
"Our law enforcement officers should never be out-gunned on the streets," Obama said, directly addressing high-capacity ammunition.
On a more local level, the city of Minneapolis spent $800,000 on guns and ammunition in the last few years, and Mayor R.T. Rybak says that purchasing power gives the city influence with gun manufacturers who don't meet the city's standards of safety.
"President Obama gave a great speech today, but the most important thing he did was listen -- for nearly an hour -- to people who, day after day, are building peace on our streets. He knows that they, and all Americans, can help everyone in Washington understand that we need common-sense laws that make all of us safer," Rybak said.
Rybak said that collaboration has been key in finding solutions.
In fact, the idea to use the city's financial clout in its gun purchases came from a recent summit with Midwest leaders, mayors and law enforcement officers about ways to reduce gun violence.
Read more: Obama gun laws: President pushes gun control plan in Minneapolis - KMSP-TV
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/20955969/obama-gun-laws-minneapolis-speech#ixzz2N5w2L8sP
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/obama-talks-gun-control-in-minneapolis/
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/stor...ident-obama-gun-control-speech-in-minneapolis
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/stor...ident-obama-gun-control-speech-in-minneapolis