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House lawmaker ends 24-hour sit-in over gun laws

Rep. Erin Maye Quade, from Apple Valley, said Wednesday that her overnight protest underscores the growing frustration and urgency for lawmakers to act on gun control proposals

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Democratic lawmaker has finished a 24-hour sit-in on the Minnesota House floor to protest inaction on gun control legislation.

Rep. Erin Maye Quade, from Apple Valley, said Wednesday that her overnight protest underscores the growing frustration and urgency for lawmakers to act on gun control proposals before the session ends in less than a month.

Proposals that would strengthen gun control have faced resistance from Republican majorities in the Legislature.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt said Wednesday that some lawmakers are still working behind the scenes on small changes to gun laws that could gain enough Republican support to pass this year.

Maye Quade began the protest late Tuesday morning. A handful of colleagues joined at the start to share stories of Minnesota residents who were fatally shot. They're calling for expanded background checks and a legal way for family members to temporarily restrict a loved one's gun access.

Gun laws are under scrutiny nationwide after February's deadly school shooting at a Florida high school.

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