ST. PAUL — The growing debate over gun control is taking center stage at Minnesota’s Capitol this week as lawmakers take up a handful of proposals that would limit access to guns for some individuals.

The House Public Safety Committee plans three days of hearings starting today on various proposed gun laws.

Measures include a ban on certain assault weapons, background checks for all pistol and assault weapon purchases, mental health screening for firearm permits and other proposals.

The hearings come a day after President Obama visited Minneapolis to tout his own federal gun control proposals. In Minnesota, some Democratic lawmakers want to combine a package of changes to gun legislation into one bill. No votes on specific gun proposals are planned at the Capitol this week.