House Votes To Legalize Silencers, Approves Other Gun Bills

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota House has voted to legalize silencers and passed a handful of other bills expanding the state's gun laws.

Lawmakers quickly approved a measure Thursday removing a requirement that gun permit owners notify state officials before bringing a firearm onto Capitol grounds. Another proposal clarifying Minnesotans' ability to buy guns in other states also passed.

But the bill to legalize gun suppressors was the most controversial as lawmakers debated the overall safety of firearms. A Minneapolis Democrat tried and failed to attach an amendment expanding background checks to private gun sales.

The silencer bill eventually passed 89 to 40 as many Democrats joined GOP lawmakers to approve the measure.

Gov. Mark Dayton and Senate Democrats have shown little interest in taking up changes to gun laws this year.