During her state of the city address in April, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones vowed to reimagine public safety for a new era.
“It isn't a moral necessity,” she said. “It's a practical and urgent one.”
Since then, Jones has followed through on her promise. At a listening session on gun violence at Friendly Temple Church on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive last month, the mayor announced legislation that would outlaw AR-15s, AK-47s and military-style weapons.
“I want to look forward 10, 20 years from now and see a St. Louis that is safer for our babies where they can walk to a friend's house without fear, danger or trauma,” she said.
Some 202 people were killed in 2023 in the St. Louis area through Aug. 21, according to media reports.
Of the 202 victims, 126 were men and 35 were women. Twenty were children.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis that impacts families and communities in every neighborhood across our city,” Jones said. “We're coming together around a shared vision…a safer, stronger St. Louis that's ready to stand up for our values.”
If approved, the gun safety law would prevent the transfer or sale of guns to minors, take action on ghost guns, prepare St. Louis for the passage of Blair’s Law to ban celebratory gun fire, and ban anyone convicted of insurrection or hate crimes from having guns in St. Louis.
“We've seen the state try to fight back against the city time and time again, and we expect them to stop us this time, but we know Missourians are demanding state level action to pass measures like red flag laws and background checks so we're ready to fight like hell at the local level to prevent gun violence, protect our babies, and keep our community safe,” Jones said.
As previously reported by Fox 4 News, Gov. Mike Parson vetoed proposed legislation that would have criminalized celebratory gunfire.
Parson also vetoed Senate Bill 189, which included several new laws on public safety and crime, such as Blair’s Law, after the Missouri legislature approved it in May.
"Gun violence touches lives across our city, but the Missouri legislature makes the job of keeping our city safe more difficult," Jones added. "With each passing year since 2007 when requiring a permit to purchase a gun was repealed, gun-related homicides in Missouri have spiked by up to 47%. Firearm suicides have increased more than 23%. So, as a city, our hands are tied in many ways and I have to ask... has the status quo worked for St. Louis?"