Missouri Governor Mike Parson shows off the HB85, which he signed at a Frontier Justice gun shop in Lee’s Summit, Mo., on Saturday, June 12. The bill prevents local and state law enforcement officials from enforcing gun laws. federal
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
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Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
Missouri Governor Mike Parson shows off the HB85, which he signed at a Frontier Justice gun shop in Lee’s Summit, Mo., on Saturday, June 12. The bill prevents local and state law enforcement officials from enforcing gun laws. federal
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
from shooting in many areas across the country This year, at least 10 states have enacted so-called laws. They differ from state to state. But most are meant to prepare for tighter gun control measures that could come from the Biden administration.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Republican Party A state version was signed earlier this month at a gun shop outside Kansas City that echoed the claims made round on conservative social media:
“You got the Vice President of the United States up on the open stage — when she was running for president. If you remember this — and any weapon she decides she doesn’t like, she’ll come to you, go to the front door and take it,” he said.
A new Missouri law imposes a $50,000 fine on state or local officials enforcing federal gun laws that are not Missouri laws. The rule also stated that federal laws that violate the Second Amendment are invalid in the state. This version of the Act was first introduced by state lawmakers in 2013.
“This is a stupid, dangerous, and unconstitutional law,” said Missouri Lauren Arthur, a Democrat from Kansas City.
problems that she and others Point out that the Constitution is the supreme ordinance. which is part of the US Constitution that states that federal law overrides conflicting state laws.
Arthur also said she thought the law made Missouri “It’s a more dangerous place.”
In 2020, Missouri experienced the third highest gun fatality rate in the country. with 689 deaths, more than last year.
“If I was a criminal who wanted to commit a federal firearms offense, I think Missouri is a great place to break the law right now,” Arthur said.
law enforcement divided
The police chief in suburban St. Louis has resigned because of the new law. Attorneys from the state attorney general’s office recently withdrew from nearly two dozen federal drug, gun and car cases.
“Language has what they call a chilling effect on local law enforcement cooperating with federal agencies,” said Kevin Merritt, president of the Missouri Sheriff’s Association. He said many of his members were not necessarily against the law. But they weren’t thrilled about it either. “It’s very open to them for unknown situational liability,” he said.
due to loopholes in state law Some people worry that the Second Amendment Protection Act might prevent local police from seizing guns from Missouri who have been convicted of domestic violence offenses.
Senator Arthur proposed amending a bill that would close the loophole. But the offer failed to pull.
“Missouri is in the midst of a gun violence crisis,” said Tara Bennett, state legislature for the Moms Demand Action chapter in Missouri. “Instead of acting State leaders are punishing local law enforcement for their work.”
But Kansas City Police Department spokesman Jake Becchina said the new rules would not have much impact on the department’s daily operations. Special thanks to a team of detectives who advise and handle gun cases.
Most local authorities in Missouri don’t have that kind of resource.
Kevin Jamison helped form the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance and frequently works as a lawyer in gun cases. He said it was very difficult under new laws for local police to be unable to help federal officials.
“The only case that will happen is when the feds need the help of local law enforcement for reinforcements in seizing guns,” Jamison said.
legal challenge
No one is surprised that the fate of the law will be decided in court.
one week after signing the bill The city of St. Louis and the county filed a lawsuit together in Kansas City, on the other side of the state. The county legislature is considering a resolution to join the case, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has expressed interest in joining.
“I think this is a reckless law,” Lucas told member station KCUR last week. “It was one of the worst thoughts of a year with a bad idea. And I hope the court will eventually destroy it.”
In an email, a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s Office, Eric Schmitt called the partisans in the case and wrote: “We will continue our efforts to prosecute violent crimes and we will not be shy about defending the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
A timetable for the lawsuit has not yet been set.
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