if we enforce the laws that we already have? // (John Hinderaker)

Democrats believe that the battle for gun control is now in their favor. They have pledged to enact new gun controls, allegedly in response the recent high-profile mass shootings. We already have hundreds upon hundreds of laws and regulations relating to firearms. A person who engages in mass shootings (or any shooting) is guilty of violating multiple statutes.

The obvious question is: If the hundreds of laws and regulations already in effect didn’t stop the latest outrage then why would one more? There are many laws that make it illegal for someone to shoot them or to possess or use firearms in different ways. Unfortunately, the laws are not enforced. This is why we see the exact same criminals commit each crime.

David Zimmer, my colleague, is a veteran of over 30 years in Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. He is now a Policy Fellow at American Experiment. David argues that our crime problem is largely due to an irresponsible criminal judiciary system. David’s examples are from Minnesota, but the fecklessness that he documents is common in all states, even blue. This is his post titled “Gun crime offenders: Our court system’s anemic response.” David did extensive research into court records to find the following:

Gun crime offenders should be at the top of public safety concerns. Our liberal state criminal justice system has not held gun offenders accountable.

This lack of accountability is evident in the gun-related cases that Muhnee Bailey, aka “Money”, and his twin brothers Quantez Ward and Cortez Ward, both aged 19, have committed.

The timeline of their activities is complicated not because it is extremely complicated but because they are prolific in gun crime activity. Despite numerous opportunities, the state district courts failed in their duty to hold these men accountable for their serious crimes, despite multiple attempts. The courts have no excuse not to connect these dots and protect law-abiding citizens against dangerous offenders like these.

Timeline for Offenses Known:

The Minneapolis Police received information on January 17, 2022 that Muhnee, the Ward brothers, and all three of them had guns. The vehicle was located in North Minneapolis by police officers who attempted to stop it. Muhnee was driving the vehicle, but instead of stopping him, he fled police and ended up running into a squad car head-on. Quantez and Muhnee fled on foot, while Cortez was taken into custody in the vehicle. Quantez and Cortez were both found to have handguns with extended magazines, “switches” that made them fully automated “machine guns.” Muhnee also had a handgun with an extended mag.

All three were taken into Hennepin County Jail and the cases were submitted by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Muhnee was charged in Felony Fleeing Police with a Motor Vehicle and Gross Missdemeanor Carrying a pistol without a permit.

Quantez was charged for Felony Possession and Gross Misdemeanor with Carrying a Weapon without a Permit and Misdemeanor fleeing police on foot.

Cortez was charged for Felony Possession a Machine Gun, and Gross Misdemeanor Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit.

The Wards were each released on $50,000 bail and each posted bonds on 1/19/22. Quantez was convicted of felony possession as a juvenile and his bail was set at the same amount as his brother.

Muhnee was released on conditional release by Ramsey County and placed bail at $60,000, even though he was being held on $60,000 bail.

Muhnee, who was released on bail in the two cases previously mentioned, shot and killed a St. Paul man and fled the area on 4/12/22. The police started an investigation.

Judge Lamas sentenced Cortez to 120 days on electronic home monitoring, after Cortez pleaded guilty to possessing the January seized machine gun. His sentence consisted of 120 days of electronic home monitoring and two years probation. His conviction would have been converted to misdemeanor if he had completed his probation.

The Maple Grove Police pulled Cortez and Quantez over on 5/6/22, four days after he was sentenced to home monitoring. During the stop, a loaded pistol was found. Hennepin County issued Cortez a probation violation warrant. Judge Quam released him with no bail and continued conditions regarding law aiding, firearms, and other matters. Quantez did not face any repercussions for the gun seizure.

Judge Lamas sentenced Quantez on 5/13/22 after he pleaded guilty to possessing the gun. He was sentenced to the same 120-electronic home monitoring and three years probation as Cortez, even though he had been previously found guilty of felony firearm possession as a juvenile and despite violating conditions of his release in the Maple Grove seizure. If he completes two years of probation, his conviction will be reverted to a misdemeanor.

5/17/22: St. Paul Police executed an arrest warrant for Muhnee’s home and vehicle. Two handguns, one fully automatic, a drum magazine and ammunition were seized by the police. Ramsey County Court charged Muhnee with possessing a machine gun and 2nd degree assault after he shot the man in April. Muhnee was released on $100,000 bail. He posted $100,000 bond on 5/20/22 and was released by the Ramsey Co. Jail. Hennepin Co. has not indicated that they took any action against the January weapon and fleeing case conditional release.

Police executed a second search warrant at the home of Cortez & Quantez on 7/19/22. Multiple firearms and ammunition were confiscated. Quantez, who was interviewed by police, admitted to being a member a North Minneapolis street gang. He also said that he had committed at least five drive-by shootings while a member.

Cortez, Quantez were then charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with federal firearms violations.

After pleading guilty in the 1/17/22 flee cop and possession of firearm charges, Muhnee was sentenced at Hennepin County Circuit Court on 8/19/22. Judge Lamas sentenced him for three years of supervised release.

Cortez pled guilty to illegally possessing ammunition in a felon case in October 2022 in federal court. This was in connection with the Maple Grove 5/6/22 arrest.

Quantez pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms as a felon in federal court on November 20,22. This was related to the July seizure firearms from his home.

Both brothers are currently awaiting Judge Schiltz’s sentencing. According to the Department of Justice the average sentence for felons in possession of firearms is 64 month in prison.

Muhnee pleaded guilty to the 2021 drive-by shooting in Ramsey County District Court on 10/3/22. The Ramsey County Attorney also dropped the 2nd degree assault case arising from the April 2022 shooting as part of the plea.

Judge Sheu sentenced Muhnee to 365 days in prison in Ramsey County District Court on 11/16/22 for the 2021 drive-by shooting and 5/17/22 possessing a machine gun. Sheu also stayed for two and three years.

Anyone who believes that we over-incarcerate should read the above timeline. Multiple courts had multiple opportunities to incapacite these men by incarceration. Each time, the state district courts in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties failed. It remains to be seen whether the federal court will sentence the Wards to actual prison time.

Unfortunately, Minnesota has far too many stories like this. It is unacceptable that our court system fails us repeatedly in a time when there has been an increase in violence in Minnesota. The entire criminal justice system, including police, prosecutors and courts, corrections and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, should work together to ensure that all tools are used to hold gun offenders responsible, even if they are in long-term incarceration.

Until then, those who advocate for “gun control,” can take a seat.