A law goes into effect Thursday that makes it a felony in Minnesota to buy a gun for someone who is not legally eligible to own one. This is called straw purchasing, and it was a misdemeanor offense until state lawmakers passed a bill to increase the penalties and Gov. Tim Walz signed it into law.

Just as this year’s legislative session was getting underway, three first responders were killed in Burnsville. It later came out that the gunman had used a weapon he acquired through straw purchasing.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans about the new law.