‘Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure’ law considered in Missouri Senate
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri is known among many for lax gun laws, and one Republican Missouri senator is introducing a law to pre-empt more regulations.
Sen. Bill Eigel (R-St. Charles) has introduced a bill that would ban so-called "red flag" laws in Missouri. The bill was heard in a Senate Committee on Wednesday morning.
Red flag laws allow law enforcement to confiscate the guns of someone who is flagged for being a risk to themselves or others. They're typically flagged by family or someone in their household.
Several people came to testify in support of Eigel's bill. One woman said red flag laws can be used to manipulate women in domestic abuse situations.
A representative from Mom's Demand Action testified against the bill. She referenced a school shooting at a St. Louis performing arts school in October.
A week before a mass shooting at Central and Visual Performing Arts High, the shooter's family asked police to take away his guns out of concern for his mental state. Police worked with the family and a third party to get the guns removed from him, and it is unclear how he got them back.
Missouri operates under the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which prevents law enforcement from enforcing federal gun regulations. This law has been challenged in court.
Former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) took part in the passage of a bipartisan bill last year. Blunt co-sponsored a provision sponsored to increase mental health resources nationwide.
