The press conference will include perspectives from students, educators, and families affected by the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis.
Media Contact: Alexandra Fitzsimmons, afitzsimmons@childrensdefense.org, 612-226-0830 (on-site contact)
John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
STILLWATER, MN—On Monday, Minnesota community leaders, educators, parents, and students will join Children’s Defense Fund
Minnesota, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, and Protect Minnesota to urge Governor Walz to call a special session and
the Minnesota Legislature to pass a statewide assault weapons ban and a high-capacity magazine ban.
The event will be held at Washington Square Park in Stillwater and will feature a range of perspectives, including Stillwater Mayor Ted
Kozlowski, Stillwater City Council Member and 2024-25 Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year Ryan Collins, students, parents, educators, and
representatives from Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota, Moms Demand Action, and Protect Minnesota.
In August, a shooter opened fire on students and parishioners during mass at Annunciation, killing two children and injuring 18 more
children and 3 adults. The shooter was armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, according to officials. Police recovered ten high-capacity magazines at Annunciation Church and School – four high-capacity magazines that were empty after the shooting and six high-capacity magazines that were unused. Since then, Minnesotans across the state have urged Minnesota lawmakers to ban assault weapons. A recent poll conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety, surveying 800 likely 2026 general election voters in Minnesota, showed 61 percent support a state-level ban on assault weapons.
On Tuesday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders unveiled a proposal for a special session on gun violence and school safety that could begin as early as Monday. Alexandra Fitzsimmons, Senior Policy Director at CDF-Minnesota and a speaker at Monday’s event in Stillwater, emphasized that now is the time for state leaders to act to protect children and families by banning the use of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines during the proposed session.
“Every child in our state deserves to grow up with dignity, hope, and joy,” Fitzsimmons said. “However, too many children in Minnesota
conƟnue to have their young lives shattered by assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. There is no reason these weapons of war
should conƟnue to appear in our schools, parks, and congregations. Governor Walz and Minnesota legislators must act now before any
more young lives are senselessly lost and forever changed.”
Monday’s event is at 4:00 pm and is sponsored by Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota. The public is invited to attend. Speakers will also be
open to take questions from the press after the event’s conclusion.
Event Details:
Washington Square Park
815 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
October 6, 2025
4:00pm