Missouri lawmakers hope to nullify federal gun limits
JASON HANCOCK
Midwestdemocracy.com
Jan 16 2013
JEFFERSON CITY | Any federal agent trying to enforce new gun restrictions in Missouri would be guilty of a Class D felony under legislation introduced in the state Senate Wednesday.
The bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Brian Munzlinger of Williamstown, seeks to nullify any federal law restricting semiautomatic guns and accessories beyond what existed at the end of 2012. Similar legislation has been filed in the Missouri House by Republican Rep. Casey Guernsey of Bethany that has 61 co-sponsors.
Munzlinger’s bill has nine Republican co-sponsors, including Sens. Will Kraus of Independence and Ed Emery of Lamar.
Critics of the idea say the legislation is meaningless, as courts have ruled that federal law supersedes state law.
The legislation came in response to President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiling 23 executive actions that range from ordering federal agencies to make more data available for background checks to clarifying that the federal health care law allows doctors to ask patients about guns in the home.
Additionally, the president called on Congress to institute new bans on assault weapons and high capacity magazines.
Munzlinger saw the moves as a direct attack on the Second Amendment, which he said “protects all the other amendments.”
“We need to stand up for our rights and how we interpret the Constitution here in Missouri,” Munzlinger said.
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