Law enforcement in Missouri is unsure of how the Second Amendment Preservation Act will affect their department

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Law enforcement agencies across the state are unsure how the new Missouri law will affect their relationship with their federal partners.

The law imposes a $50,000 fine on any state or local official who enforces a federal gun law that is not already a law in Missouri.

Brian Leer, with the Boone County Sheriffs office, said they are currently working with their legal counsel to try and determine the impact the SAPA law will have on the agency.

"We understand that it will impact us as we have been heavily involved in an ATF Task Force for several years and have worked well with the ATF to identify those responsible for violent street crimes and crimes involving the use of firearms, but we aren't clear yet what all the impact will be," Leer said.

Eric Knox, Benton County Sheriff said the constitution is very important to the agency and they do not want to violate the constitution. Knox said he is concerned with how the law could affect law enforcement, especially at a time when there is a law enforcement worker shortage.

Captain John Hotz, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said patrol members will continue to serve on federal task forces except where the task forces' primary focus is weapons violations. The Patrol has currently suspended its participation with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives task force. The suspension affected one full-time and three part-time task force members from the Patrol.

House Bill 85 signed by Governor Parson on June 12, prohibits local and state cooperation with federal officials that attempt to enforce any laws, rules, orders, or actions that violate the Second Amendment rights of Missourians.

Dale Roberts, attorney and former Columbia Police Association Director was one of the people who worked on the bill.

Roberts said he understands why law enforcement would be hesitant if they did not understand the law, but he says it is important to defend our second amendment rights.

"I'm torn because I support the second amendment, I'm also a supporter of law enforcement. I can tell you the vast majority of officers I know with CPD would say the same thing, they support the second amendment but at the same time we see gun violence in the news nightly," Roberts said.

Democratic Senator, Brian Williams said the new law is "unconstitutional". Williams said it creates a more dangerous environment for law enforcement by forcing them to be non-compliant with the federal government.

"I truly believe it is wrong. We should be creating environments where not only our community is safe but also our law enforcement is safe and this bill is clearly creating a dangerous environment for law enforcement," Williams said.

Republican Missouri Senator Chuck Basye is in support of the new law. Basye says he cannot support anything that is going to target law-abiding citizens and their second amendment rights.

"You know I think it is very inappropriate, my guns aren't jumping out of my safe and committing crimes. So, the people, the thugs that are doing this violence with firearms are already breaking existing laws," Basye said.

Basye said law enforcement had concerns with the original version of the bill. Basye said a lot of work was done by senators to solve the issues and make them more appealing to law enforcement.

St. Louis City and County was joined by Jackson County today in a joint lawsuit that challenges the new Show-Me-State rule.