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St. Paul Bans Assault Weapons & Ghost Guns

St. Paul, Minnesota becomes the first major city in a coalition of 17 cities to adopt sweeping gun legislation, including an assault weapons ban.

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Public officials in St. Paul, Minnesota, unanimously passed a sweeping ordinance targeting assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and “ghost guns.”

Though officials said the ban was a “bold step,” the ordinance cannot actually take effect until Minnesota’s preemption laws are lifted. The preemption laws have been on the books since 1985.

Springfield Armory Saint Victor PCC
Guns like the Springfield Armory Saint Victor PCC are now banned.

The ordinance was introduced by the St. Paul City Council in late October and included a handful of provisions aimed at firearms, including:

  • Banning possession of the following items within city limits
  • Assault weapons
  • Large-capacity magazines
  • Binary triggers
  • Restricting firearms in “sensitive public spaces” like parks, libraries, recreation centers, and city buildings
  • Requiring clear signage at public facilities with the listed firearm restrictions and encouraging compliance
  • Definition of enforcement authority and penalties

Under the ordinance, law enforcement and active-duty military are exempt from the restrictions in addition to licensed federal firearms curators.

There’s also a carve-out for individuals transporting banned firearms through the city so long as the firearms are unloaded, locked, and comply with the city’s safe storage policies.

Pelican 1700
Pelican 1700

“Saint Paul stands ready to act on day one when the state lifts preemption,” said Mayor Melvin Carter III (D) in a press release.

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“This ordinance represents a collective effort by local leaders taking a long-overdue step to protect our children, families, and neighbors. Too many have suffered the unimaginable while others debated. It’s time for state leaders to meet us in this moment of urgency and safeguard the future our children deserve.”

AR-15 Magazines mags ar15 .223 5.56 556 pmag lancer magpul
30-round magazines are also banned under the ordinance.

St. Paul is the first major city in a coalition of 17 Minnesota cities to adopt gun legislation. According to the city, partners include the University of Minnesota Law School Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, the Minnesota Chapter of Moms Demand Action, Protect Minnesota, Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, Face to Face Academy, local constituents, and community advocates.

The ordinance comes on the heels of a deadly mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in late August 2025.

Immediately after the city announced the new legislation, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, alongside the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center, filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the ordinance.

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Gun rights groups argue that the law infringes on citizens' 2nd Amendment rights.

“This illegal ordinance will immediately have a chilling effect on peaceable gun owners in our capital city,” Bryan Strawser, Chair of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, said in a news release.

 “It’s unfortunate that the City Council and Mayor have chosen to waste taxpayer dollars defending a performative ordinance that clearly violates state law.”

Strawser said the pro-2A organization is prepared to fight the bill and preserve gun rights across the state.

80% Arms GST-9 Parts
80% kits would also be prohibited if the law stands and the state lifts its preemptive legislation.

“We have been clear from the beginning, we will not back down and will always take action to defend the Second Amendment rights of peaceable Minnesotans to keep and bear arms,” he added.

The pro-gun group filed a petition on November 12 asking the court to prevent city officials from implementing or enforcing the ordinance. The petition is filed under MN Gun Owners Caucus v. City of St. Paul in the Ramsey County District Court and is awaiting assignment to a judge.

What do you think of St. Paul’s restrictions? Let us know in the comments below. Want more news? Check out our News Category with all the latest updates.

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Written By

Jacki Billings

Jacki Billings

Editor-in-Chief

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Jacki Billings delved into the world of guns while earning her black belt in Yongmudo. Armed with a degree in journalism, she’s penned thousands of articles for the gun industry. She’s passionate about self-defense and first aid and sharing what works (and what doesn’t) with readers. Jacki currently serves as Pew Pew Tactical's Editor-in-Chief directing coverage and managing the content and video teams as well as fact checking all articles.

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Conversation

5 Comments

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  • I hate when we make the news for being stupid. It's nothing more than propaganda. How many people have been killed with ARs in St Paul? Not as many as with glocks. I never go down there, and this is just another reason not to
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  • 1
    Anybody else get the idea these jack-wagons got bent about court loses so they cook up complete B.S. losers from a bunch of Blue cities spread out to use up the funds & time of Pro 2A groups? There's laws against "frivolous" lawsuits, are there any regs. against frivolous laws that can be used?
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  • So lets disarme the very people "who arnot the problem"!!!

    Do criminals obey any laws and here city politions holler of, we saved the children! So when the nnext crime occures! More bans implaced? When those fail?
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  • 2
    Everyone, just relax. There will “clear signage at public facilities with the listed firearm restrictions and encouraging compliance,” so of course you’ll be safe. Criminals are totally going to follow these new laws once they read the sign.
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  • 1
    From the actions taken here and by district judges, the Supreme Court's decisions such as Bruen are mere suggestions, where previously (when that court supported something the left liked) their every syllable was graven in stone.
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