Gov. Michael Parson signed into law the Second Amendment Preservation Act last week, which is designed to protect Missourians from federal gun control laws.
“What this legislation does is require Missouri peace officers only enforce Missouri gun laws,” said Aaron Dorr, political director of the Missouri Firearms Coalition.
Also known as House Bill 85, the Second Amendment Preservation Act was introduced by Rep. Jered Taylor (R-Republic) earlier this year and prevents local law enforcement agencies from enforcing federal gun laws.
“When it comes to guns, ammunition or accessories, Missouri troopers, city cops, Sheriff's deputies, and other law enforcement can only enforce Missouri statute and, in so doing, we don't have to worry about Biden's gun control being enforced on the citizens of Missouri,” Dorr told the St. Louis Record.
As previously reported, President Biden campaigned on a platform, which included a promise to enable courts to withdraw firearms from people who are a danger to themselves and others.
“It's pretty obvious that Joe Biden, and his handlers, more importantly, have a limitless appetite for trying to attack the Second Amendment Rights of law-abiding citizens in this country,” Dorr said.
HB 85 was signed by Gov. Parson at Lee’s Summit where there was a ceremony on Saturday, according to media reports.
“Whether it's banning semi-automatic firearms, as many of them are trying to do, or whether it's trying to pass a national red flag, gun, seizure law, or register all of our guns," Dorr said. "All of these things are very, very harmful to our freedom and against the law and against the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”
Under the new law, state and local police departments that enforce federal gun laws will be fined up to $50,000 and could potentially be sued.
“The reality is, as we all know, is that the overwhelming majority of federal regulations of any kind are enforced by state and local authorities and by denying the federal government the cooperation of state and local authorities, much of these things are going to simply not be enforced,” Dorr added. “They will simply lack the manpower.”
Critics of the law disagree with, among other things, state law enforcement being unable to work on any type of investigation with the federal government, according to Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield).
“When people are looking for real solutions on crime, policing and public safety, Gov, Parson, and the Republican legislature have instead chosen to preserve Missouri’s growing reputation for extremist and dangerous laws,” Quade told KY3 News.
“The new law even allows criminals who violate federal gun law to sue our local law enforcement officers for a minimum $50,000 fine if they in any way assist with federal investigations. It quite literally defunds the police and gives that taxpayer money to convicted criminals. It is long past time for Republicans in Jefferson City to stop the political grandstanding, take their jobs as leaders seriously and pass real solutions to crime in our state.