From Minneapolis to Texas: School Safety Under Fire

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (TXAN 24) — A community in Minneapolis is reeling after a school shooting today. While details are still emerging, the tragedy raises questions far beyond Minnesota: How effective are our gun laws? And what more can schools do to keep students safe?

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What Minnesota Law Allows

   •    Buyers of handguns or military-style semi-automatic firearms in Minnesota must first obtain a permit and background check.

   •    The state adopted a red flag law in 2024, allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals considered dangerous.

   •    Cities like Minneapolis cannot pass their own stricter gun rules because state law preempts local action.

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Police Funding in Minneapolis

   •    The city budgeted $229.5 million for the Minneapolis Police Department this year, covering a 731-officer minimum mandated by the charter.

   •    Funding also includes new investigators and safety initiatives—but none of that gives local leaders the power to rewrite gun laws.

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Texas: Different Rules, Different Challenges

   •    Texas law allows most adults 21+ to carry handguns without a permit (HB 1927).

   •    After the Uvalde shooting, the Legislature passed HB 3, requiring an armed officer or armed staff on every K-12 campus.

   •    But school leaders warn: the state’s safety allotment isn’t enough to pay for officers, training, and upgrades at every campus.

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What Experts Say Actually Works

   •    Layered school security: controlled entrances, trained staff, rapid communications, and physical safeguards.

   •    Threat-assessment teams: most school shooters show warning signs before acting.

   •    Mental health resources: investing in behavioral health can help identify risks early.

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The Bigger Picture

Whether in Minneapolis or Texas, the debate over guns continues. Some push for tighter restrictions, others argue illegal markets will thrive regardless. What’s clear is this: schools need both resources and strategies to make campuses safer.

Until lawmakers agree on the gun debate, the focus for families, teachers, and districts remains the same—fund school security, close the gaps, and stop the next tragedy before it starts.