Minnesota State Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) recently argued that rural citizens would find it too challenging to follow gun safety laws because they might have to deal with dangerous cows.  The senate recently debated a DFL proposal which would establish statewide standards for the safe storage of firearms, a policy that has proven effective in reducing suicides, homicides, and accidental firearm deaths and injuries among young people.  Firearm-related injuries are now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents nationwide, so the issue is a serious one. Limmer’s response seemed less than serious, however:

“You even walk too close to a cow, and it’ll take you down and trample you into dust,” said Limmer. “Fumbling around with a lock while a cow or a bull or any other animal is going after your daughter or your son — you can’t fumble around with a key or try and find the lockbox or put your thumb on a biometric key of some sort in your home while the danger is outside. This bill puts those individuals in even more danger.”

According to The New Republic magazine, which covered Limmer’s testimony with some amusement, “Death by cow attack is not actually that common in the United States. A study published in January in the journal Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology found that only about 20 to 22 deaths are caused by cattle per year—and that includes cows reacting to “deliberate provocation or goading intended to incite aggressive behavior for public entertainment purposes.” https://newrepublic.com/post/180119/minnesota-republican-opposes-gun-safety-bill-murderous-cows

Limmer is a former corrections officer who lives in the suburban community of Maplewood.  He formerly chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was well-known for refusing to hear new bills about gun safety.