A contentious proposal targeting federal gun laws has sparked a debate between St. Louis-area police chiefs and pro-firearms activist Aaron Dorr, political director of the Missouri Firearms Coalition. The Second Amendment Preservation Act, passed by House legislators and sent to the Senate, aims to prevent local and state police from enforcing federal gun laws against citizens allowed to possess firearms under state law.
While Dorr argues that the act protects cops from enforcing laws that violate the Constitution, some police chiefs, like Kurt Frisz of the St. Charles County Police Department, are concerned about potential restrictions on law enforcement. The proposal would prohibit departments from hiring former federal employees who enforced federal gun laws and impose civil penalties on departments in violation of the law.
Republican support for the bill has highlighted tensions between gun-rights activists and police, with some GOP lawmakers facing backlash from both groups. The bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Bill Hardwick, emphasizes that Missouri law enforcement agencies do not have jurisdiction to enforce federal gun laws on their own but are asked to do so by federal agencies.
The debate surrounding the Second Amendment Preservation Act exposes divisions within the Republican Party, with some legislators like Rep. Lane Roberts expressing concerns about the legislation’s impact on police officers. Despite internal resistance, the bill passed the House with a majority vote and is now under consideration by the Senate. Advocates hope to protect Second Amendment rights in Missouri, while critics warn of potential consequences for law enforcement.
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