The 2nd Amendment was front and center in Jefferson City on Monday as not one, but TWO bills aimed at protecting and preserving the 2nd Amendment were approved by Committeeย in the Missouri House. ย Both bills can now be placed on the “Perfection Calendar” for debate by the full House.
Representative Chrissy Sommerย introduced HB 162ย on January 15, 2013 with the support of 5 co-sponsors. ย This bill establishes the Missouri Firearms Freedom Act. ย Amendments II, IX and X of the US Constitution as well as Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution are declared as the authority for the bill which states that a “personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufacturedย commercially or privately in Missouri and that remains within the borders of Missouri isย not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authorityย of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.”
Representative Casey Guernsey introduced HB 170ย on January 15, 2013 with the support of 60 co-sponsors. ย This bill specifies that “a federal official must not enforce a federal firearm law when the firearm is manufactured and remains in the state and that any new federal law banning or restricting ownership of a semi-automatic firearm is unenforceable”.
The bill also affirms the stateโs authority to regulate firearms made and owned exclusively within Missouri, and makes it a felony for any federal agent to attempt to enforce a federal regulation on such weapons. ย
Any official, agent, or employee of the federal government who enforces or attempts to enforce any act, order, law, statute, rule, or regulation of the federal government upon a personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is owned or manufactured commercially or privately in the state of Missouri and that remains exclusively within the borders of the state of Missouri shall be guilty of a class D felony.
Both bills can now be placed on the “Perfection Calendar” for debate by the full House.
ACTION ITEMS for Missouri
1. Contact your stateย Representative. ย Strongly, but respectfully let them know you want a YES vote on both HB162 and HB170.
2. ย Encourage your local community to take action as well. ย Present the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act to your city county, your town council, or your county commissioners. ย Various local governments around the country are already passing similar resolutions and ordinances. ย Local legislative action present a great way to strengthen a statewide campaign against 2nd Amendment violations
Model legislation here:
https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2ndamendmentpreservation/
3. Get connected to what is happening in your state on Facebook
Join the 2nd Amendment group on facebook here:ย https://www.facebook.com/groups/2ndamendmentmissouri
4. ย Share this information widely. ย Please pass this along to your friends and family. ย Also share it with any and all grassroots groups youโre in contact with around the state. ย Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.
MODEL LEGISLATION and TRACKING
If you would like to see model legislation to introduce in your state to nullify federal firearm laws, please see The Tenth Amendment Centerโs Model Legislation:ย The 2nd Amendment Preservation Act.
Track the status of 2nd Amendment preservation legislation in states around the countryย HERE.
ADDITIONAL READING AND RESOURCES
The 2nd Amendment Preservation Act IS constitutional
How to Respond to Unlawful Orders
The 2nd Amendment didnโt โgrantโ rights
- Ohio Bill Takes on all Federal Attempts to Implement More Gun Control - February 12, 2016
- Gun Control and the Constitution: There are No Exceptions to “Shall Not Be Infringed” - October 27, 2015
- Kentucky Bill Would Nullify All Federal Gun Control - October 12, 2015