Gun limits for felons proposed in Minn.

Legislation announced Thursday at the State Capitol would help county prosecutors keep guns out of the hands of convicted violent felons.

With the backing of the Minnesota County Attorney's Association, DFL Sen. Ron Latz of St. Louis Park and DFL Rep. John Lesch of St. Paul, are proposing to add felony domestic violence to the list of crimes that prohibit a convict from ever again legally possessing a gun.

Repeat juvenile gun offenders and people who are determined by a court to be mentally ill and a danger to themselves or others would also be prohibited.

Lesch described the bill as a common-sense proposal to reduce gun violence.

"When there are far too many examples across the nation, from Sandy Hook to Colorado and right here in Minnesota at Red Lake, people need to know that their elected officials are responding to their concerns," said Lesch.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the proposed changes would improve public safety.

"The prosecutors and I, in talking about this package, were trying to put together pieces that should generally be acceptable to everyone and yet help us reduce the amount of gun violence," said Freeman.

House and Senate committees are planning extensive hearings in coming days on several proposed changes in state gun laws.