ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Legislature has given overwhelming approval to legislation allowing prosecutors to carry a firearm on duty as long as they have a permit.

The state Senate voted 53-10 on Thursday for the measure, which previously passed the House with little dissent. It now goes to Gov. Mark Dayton.

The bill gained steam after Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell was shot and wounded in December last year by a man he had successfully prosecuted.

The new law would take effect the day after the bill is signed.