House passes bill to let attorneys carry guns

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota House has passed two bills that would increase personal security for county attorneys, including one that would let them carry guns.

The House passed the gun bill in a 130-1 vote Wednesday. The bill would allow county attorneys to carry a gun while on duty, but not in the courtroom.

The other bill would enhance criminal penalties for assaulting a prosecutor and killing a prosecutor. Under the bill, a person who kills a prosecutor could be charged with first-degree murder. The bill passed a 130-1 vote.

The bills took on special urgency after Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell (SCAN'-el) was shot and wounded in December last year.

The Senate companion bills are still in committee.

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