Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting speaks out against proposed Minnesota gun legislation

(Fargo, ND) -- Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting is asking Representative Jim Joy to oppose gun control legislation being considered by Minnesota lawmakers. 

"Currently we do have a law on the books in regards to negligent storage of firearms and I don't think we need to bring another law on the books or repeal that law to bring another law on the books," said Empting.  

Empting is talking about HF-396. The bill, among other things, would require gun owners to store their guns unloaded and locked, and in a location separate from their ammunition. Empting is among a number of sheriffs in the state who assert the bill would make it difficult for people living in rural areas to effectively defend themselves when necessary. 

"That kind of brings a concern, especially in our rural areas. A lot of our residents out there do have firearms in their residence for protection because they're out there by themselves so they have them out there to protect themselves," said Empting.