Obama to talk at police facility with no public access

ST. PAUL — President Barack Obama’s Minneapolis appearance Monday will be at a Minneapolis Police Department facility, and not open to the public. The president will talk about his plan to curtail gun violence with local political and law enforcement leaders, the White House says. No public events are planned. “Minneapolis is a city that has taken important steps to reduce gun violence and foster a conversation in the community about what further action is needed,” a White House statement said. “President Obama will visit with members of the community about their experiences and discuss additional steps that can be taken at the federal level to reduce gun violence. “ Monday’s trip will be the president’s first outside Washington to promote his gun program. The president’s 35-point plan includes actions he can take and provisions Congress would have to approve. U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said he expects gun bills to begin in the Senate later this year, but senators likely will not go for the most restrictive provisions. “I don’t think much is going to happen.”