Rep. Ilhan Omar introduces no-knock warrant bill named for Amir Locke

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced a bill to place strict limitations on no-knock warrants in drug-related investigations. The bill, which was announced on Tuesday, was named for Amir Locke.

According to ABC News, the bill would also ban “quick-knock” warrants, nighttime warrants, and the use of explosives, chemical weapons, and military grade firearms while warrants are being carried out.

Locke, after whom the bill is named for, was a Black man from Minnesota who was fatally shot by Minneapolis SWAT officer Mark Hanneman during the execution of a no-knock search warrant on Feb. 2.

The 22 year-old’s death has been ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. Hanneman has yet to be charged with a crime. He has been placed on paid administrative leave while investigations are conducted. Locke’s aunt, Neka Gray, had asked that no-knock warrants be put to end during a meeting at Minneapolis City Hall demanding justice.

She said, “Unfortunately, Amir won’t benefit from it. But the next person will. And so what we’re asking is that this no-knock warrant, that this policy that was put in place where it only affects people that look like me, people that look like Amir, people that look like many people that are standing behind me, we’re just asking that that is changed.’”