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House Democrats file ‘Local Empowerment on Firearms Act’

Resolutions would give cities, counties power to enact and enforce gun ordinances

State Rep. Crystal Quade speaks on Democratic efforts empower local communities to write gun laws on the steps of the Missouri Capitol Feb. 19 surrounded by members of the Missouri House Democratic Caucus. (MHDC)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Members of the Missouri House Democratic Caucus today filed identical resolutions that would empower voters to give themselves greater local control on firearms laws.

 

These resolutions would amend the constitution to give municipalities and counties the ability to enact and enforce gun laws that best serve the needs of their communities.

 

Democrats filed these measures in response to the mass shooting one week ago in Kansas City during the Chiefs Super Bowl celebration parade, consistently high levels of gun fatalities across the state and comments made by House Speaker Dean Plocher that indicated he did not realize city ordinances could not regulate firearms beyond the bounds of state law.

 

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said this legislation would give Missourians the power to act where Republican majorities had failed to do so.

 

“Republican state legislators have shown no intention of passing even the most common-sense gun safety measures in the 20-plus years they have held the majority,” Quade said. “As with so many issues where they have failed to show leadership, it falls to the people to make things right. Voters should have the ultimate say in giving their local leaders the power to protect their citizens when the state lawmakers in control refuse to act.”

 

Quade added that Republicans have repeatedly stymied efforts cities have requested to combat gun violence. Last year’s House Bill 301 initially included a provision spearheaded by state Rep. Donna Baringer, D-St. Louis, that would have required minors on public property to be accompanied by an adult to possess a firearm. St. Louis police had endorsed such a measure as they have no legal recourse under state law to address unaccompanied minors in possession of guns. However, Republicans removed that part of the bill in committee and voted against an amendment offered by Baringer on the floor to reincorporate it into the final version.

 




Missouri Democrats have advocated for legislation like this long before last week’s shooting, as Missouri has consistently ranked near the top of the nation in gun deaths since 2014. Assistant House Minority Leader Richard Brown, D-Kansas City, said he and several other caucus members — many of whom had to shelter in place at Union Station — found the majority’s continued inaction on the firearms epidemic especially untenable after the shooting.

 

“The events of last week only reaffirmed my belief that cities and municipalities should have greater ability to write gun ordinances to solve this crisis within their borders,” Brown said. “Adding this amendment to our state constitution would allow urban, rural and suburban areas to choose the best policies for their respective residents.”

 

Current state law, specifically RSMo. 21.750, bars municipalities from writing or enforcing local ordinances regarding the use, possession or sale of firearms.

 

At a press conference not even 24 hours following the Union Station shooting, House Speaker Dean Plocher claimed that Kansas City had an ordinance that should have stopped the shooting from taking place. He declined to answer questions on which ordinance he meant.

 

“When the Republican House Speaker does not know that state law prevents cities from taking any meaningful action on gun violence, his party’s common criticism that cities bear the responsibility for gun crime rings hollow.” said House Minority Whip Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City. “Our communities deserve better than absent-minded thoughts and prayers. They deserve action. Missourians should not suffer just because Republicans refuse to lift a finger to fight our state’s gun violence epidemic.”

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