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CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Minnesota police departments will all be required to trace crime guns following WCCO investigation
A bill passed this legislative session will require police in Minnesota to start tracing all guns recovered from crime scenes. The bill was brought to lawmakers following a WCCO investigation. It's the result of a series of stories where WCCO took viewers inside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' National Tracing Center in West Virginia. The report shared that law enforcement across the state can trace guns recovered at crime scenes through the ATF. WCCO discovered that not all agencies used the free system to gain leads. State Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, saw the stories and proposed a bill requiring all agencies in the state to trace crime guns. And to check an often-overlooked box to share information with other agencies. He told us he hopes it will reduce violent crime, aid in the fight against gun trafficking and improve investigations. Agencies like the Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments already trace all crime guns. Now it will be required for all police departments in the state. Travis Riddle, special agent in charge of the ATF in St. Paul, told WCCO it "strongly supports the use of eTrace as a vital tool in the fight against gun violence. When law enforcement agencies participate in eTrace and choose to share trace data, it enhances our collective ability to link gun crimes across jurisdictions, identify statewide crime patterns, and potentially uncover firearms trafficking networks operating in Minnesota. Maximizing participation in eTrace strengthens partnerships and helps keep our communities safer." The bill is part of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Report passed by the House and Senate on Sunday. Next, the governor will sign it into law.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota Senate passes stricter DWI rules for repeat offenders
The Brief The Minnesota Senate passed a bill reforming DWI laws after a fatal crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park involving a repeat offender. The legislation extends the DWI "lookback" period from 10 to 20 years, eases ignition interlock program entry, and increases license revocation times for serious DWI offenses. The bill now awaits Governor Walz's approval. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota is set to put in place tougher laws targeting repeat DWI offenders following the deadly crash at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last year. What we know On Saturday, the Minnesota Senate approved a conference committee report to reform the state's DWI policies. The legislation, authored by Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), aims to prevent repeat offenders from driving under the influence. This legislation comes in response to a tragic crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last September. The backstory Earlier this month, Steven Bailey pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder in the Park Tavern crash. Authorities said Bailey tested more than four times over the limit, with a blood-alcohol level of .325, after he crashed into the tavern's patio space in September 2024. Video showed Bailey driving his vehicle, attempting to back into a parking spot, but hitting another car. Then, as he pulled out of the spot, police say the vehicle accelerated into the patio area, where a group of Methodist Hospital workers had gathered for the night. The crash left two people dead and a dozen others hurt. Dig deeper The new bill changes the following: It extends the "lookback" period for prior offenses from ten to 20 years. The legislation modifies requirements for participation in the ignition interlock program, aiming to make it easier for individuals to enroll. It also lengthens the license revocation period for individuals who commit criminal vehicular homicide or criminal vehicular operation, particularly when the person has a prior DWI-related incident. What's next The bill now heads to Gov. Walz's desk for approval.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
In wake of drunk driving crash at Park Tavern, Minnesota Legislature sends DWI reform bill to Gov. Tim Walz for signature
Legislation drafted in response to the drunk driving crash that killed two and injured others at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park last summer is on its way to Gov. Tim Walz's desk for signature. The proposal lengthens the amount of time repeat DWI offenders would have to use ignition interlock devices—breathalyzer that prevents an engine from starting if a person is intoxicated—to get behind the wheel. It cleared the Senate unanimously on Saturday after the House approved it Friday. "The bill has a number of provisions in it that will make the DWI interlock and driver's license revocation system in Minnesota work better for law enforcement, for drivers and for public safety, and it's most important central features will make our roads safer to drive on," said Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park. Under current law, if a driver has three DWIs in a decade's time, they will need an interlock for four years to drive on Minnesota's roads. The bipartisan bill changes it so if a person has three or more in their lifetime, the interlock device would be required for 10 years. The bill also doubles the period of time prior records would be considered for determining interlock requirements—the "lookback" period—from 10 to 20 years. Supporters believe the update will keep repeat offenders on the interlock devices for longer periods of time, minimizing the risk of them driving drunk. Steven Bailey earlier this month pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to that crash, including two counts of third-degree murder. Lawmakers have said if their proposed changes had been in effect at the time, he would have had an ignition interlock on his vehicle based on his record, which included five prior DWI convictions over 30 years. "He would've been on interlock and not able to get behind that vehicle when he killed those two members of our community," said Rep. Larry Kraft, DFL-St. Louis Park, during a news conference in March about the bill. Final passage on Saturday comes as the Legislature is racing to wrap up all of its work by the end-of-session deadline Monday. They must pass the next two-year state budget by then or they will have to go into overtime. Leaders have admitted a special session is likely inevitable given the time left and the scope of the work that is still incomplete, but it's unclear how long it will last. Walz is expected to sign the DWI reform bill into law. A veterans package and another bill making tweaks to the state's cannabis law are also on their way to Walz's desk Saturday.
CBS News
29-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Bill would require law enforcement in Minnesota to track guns recovered from crime scenes
Police in Minnesota aren't required to track guns recovered from crime scenes, but a proposal to change that had its first hearing by state lawmakers on Friday. The proposal comes less than a year after a WCCO investigation into tracing crime guns through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' National Tracing Center. We took you to West Virginia to see the process and showed how the trace can make a difference in solving a gun crime . Law enforcement agencies have the ability to trace guns recovered at crime scenes through the ATF for free. WCCO discovered that not all agencies in Minnesota use the system to gain investigative leads. Democratic state Senator Ron Latz saw WCCO's investigative series. His bill was introduced late Friday afternoon in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Under the proposal, all law enforcement trace guns found at crime scenes. Latz hopes the measure will reduce violent crime, aid in the fight against gun trafficking and improve investigations. "The purpose of it is to allow investigations where guns were found at a crime scene to figure out where the gun came from, who it belonged to, how it got into the stream of commerce, and whether or not there's been previous history of it being involved in crimes as well," Latz said. "It's really, really important for law enforcement to be able to solve crimes that involve guns." Latz chairs the committee that heard the bill, which is part of his 2025 legislative agenda. The bill in the Senate won't need another hearing and will be considered to be included in a broader public safety package. There is a companion bill in the Minnesota House.
