Effort to nullify federal guns laws in Missouri draws law enforcement opposition
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Mid-Missouri sheriff said Thursday that he opposes an effort by Republicans in the Missouri General Assembly to ban enforcement of federal gun laws.
House Bill 85, also called the Second Amendment Preservation Act, would allow lawsuits against police departments that enforce federal gun laws, with fines of $50,000 or more.
Many law enforcement groups say the bill, if passed into law, would make it harder for officers to do their jobs and expose departments unfairly to legal liability.
"These bills were written with good intentions to help Missourians protect their 2nd Amendment rights," Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley said in a statement. "Unfortunately, however, these well intended bills with their current language are very worrying to law enforcement across the state."
"If passed with the current language they would severely hamper law enforcement's ability to prosecute the most heinous criminals through the federal system," Wheatley wrote.
Local police frequently cooperate with federal authorities on cases that prompt federal gun charges. Columbia police worked 385 firearms-related cases, according to crime statistics. However, it's not clear how many of those ended up in federal gun charges.
The Missouri House gave the bill initial approval early Wednesday. A companion bill has been filed in the senate.
The bill passed 107-43. Local Reps. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, Cheri Reisch, R-Hallsville, Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, and Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, were among those who voted for the bill. Rep. Martha Stevens, D-Columbia, voted against it.
The bill received final House approval Thursday and is now headed to the Senate.
Proponents say the bill is needed to counteract federal laws that infringe on Second Amendment freedoms.
Section 1.450 of the bill would prevent any public officer or employee of the state to "enforce or attempt to enforce any federal acts, laws, executive orders ... infringing upon the right to keep and bear arms."
Dale Roberts, executive director of Columbia Police Officers' Association, said so far the organization has not taken a stance on the bill.
"Personally I know there are members who support it and members who oppose it ... it's a large organization and that's to be expected and it's not something CPOA has taken a position on," Robert said.
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