Keith Lusher 01.05.26
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Dec. 16 signed two executive orders focused on gun violence prevention, taking executive action after lawmakers failed to advance new firearms legislation during the 2025 session.
The orders, Executive Order 25-12 and Executive Order 25-13, were announced by the governor’s office as part of a broader effort to address gun related injuries and deaths ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
Executive Order 25-12 establishes the Governor’s Statewide Safety Council, a new advisory body made up of members from state agencies, law enforcement, education, mental health, and selected community organizations. According to the order, the council is tasked with developing an action plan to prevent mass violence, targeted attacks, and domestic terrorism, and with making policy and funding recommendations directly to the governor.
The order does not include representation from Second Amendment advocacy organizations or firearm owners’ groups among its listed participants.
Executive Order 25-13 directs multiple state agencies to expand education and outreach related to Minnesota’s existing extreme risk protection order law, commonly referred to as the red flag law. The order calls for increased training for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, schools, and mental health professionals, along with broader public education efforts aimed at increasing use of ERPOs.
The order also instructs the Department of Commerce to collect and analyze firearms related insurance policy and claims data from companies operating in Minnesota. State officials say the information will be used to better understand the financial impacts of gun related incidents and to inform future policy decisions.
In addition, Executive Order 25-13 expands state supported safe storage education initiatives, including partnerships with schools and the distribution of gun locks and safes.
Walz said the executive actions were necessary after negotiations over proposed gun control legislation, including bans on so called assault style weapons and high capacity magazines, failed earlier this year in a narrowly divided Legislature.
Judicial data cited by state officials shows that since Minnesota’s red flag law took effect, courts have issued 281 orders temporarily barring individuals from possessing firearms. Supporters argue increased awareness will improve the law’s effectiveness, while critics have raised concerns about due process protections and the impact on lawful gun owners.
Gun rights organizations, including the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, criticized the orders as largely symbolic and accused the governor of bypassing the legislative process. Republican lawmakers also pushed back, saying the administration ignored bipartisan safety proposals in favor of executive action.
Walz, who is seeking a third term, said the orders are intended to lay the groundwork for renewed legislative efforts when lawmakers reconvene in 2026.
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