Lawmaker Challenging Mall Of America's Gun Policy After Threat
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Republican state lawmaker says the al-Shabaab threat against the Mall of America means gun holders with permits should be able to take their weapons into the mall.
It currently has a "no guns allowed" policy, with mall officials claiming the entire facility is private property. State Representative Tony Cornish is the chair of the House Public Safety Committee.
He said the Mall of America has interpreted the conceal-and-carry law wrong and he's going to challenge them on it.
"This is completely ridiculous. The complete opposite of what they should be doing," Cornish said. "If we're threatened with an attack, the last thing you want to do is disarm citizens."
Representative Cornish said the intent was to allow legal weapons in open areas, like malls and mall hallways, while giving individual stores the option to ban them.
This isn't the first time Minnesota has been the focus of a terrorism video.