Bill that would allow prosecutors to carry guns debated in Minn. House

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By Minnesota Lawyer Staff
Dolan Newswires

The 2012 legislative session started last week, and two of the first bills debated in the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee of the House dealt with a recent shooting in a Minnesota courtroom.

Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder, introduced a bill that will enhance penalties for assaulting or causing the death of a prosecuting attorney and a bill that will authorize county attorneys to carry firearms on duty. Both bills were passed out of committee.

In December, Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell and a potential witness in a sexual assault trial were shot and wounded by Daniel Schlienz, the man on trial. The men survived, and Schlienz later died in custody. Scannell testified in support of the bills Thursday.

Cornish said he had been working on the bill to allow prosecutors to carry firearms before the December shooting, but the incident brought attention to the measure. There are already enhanced penalties for assaulting police officers and corrections officers. Cornish’s second bill adds prosecuting attorneys to that list.

The Minnesota County Attorneys Association has so far remained neutral on both bills, but some individual prosecutors have endorsed the changes.