I’m a retired ATF agent. Missouri’s reckless gun laws have a direct effect on violence | Opinion
Stop the madness. Let’s do something positive to fight gun violence in Missouri. As a retired agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, I know legislation passed by the General Assembly in recent years is a causal factor of the increased gun violence in the major cities of St. Louis and Kansas City.
First the legislature revoked the Missouri sheriff’s permit law to purchase a handgun. This law required buyers to apply for a handgun purchase permit. The buyer paid a small fee, a background check was conducted, and the handgun to be purchased was identified by make, model, caliber and serial number and registered at the sheriff’s office. The buyer presented the permit to the licensed firearms dealer, filled out the federal purchase form and then received the firearm. There were many benefits from this system — both for law enforcement and for public safety.
Next, the General Assembly passed a law that all Missouri residents without a felony conviction could carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This law does not require a background check, training in a classroom or any firearm range qualification. Also, no mental health checks or emotional stability tests are required This means many more people who are unstable, untrained, addicted to drugs or perpetrators of domestic violence with criminal intent are now carrying handguns on their person or in their vehicles. This poses a greater threat to law enforcement and the general public.
Most recently, the legislature passed the notorious Second Amendment Protection Act. This law outlawed Missouri state officers, county sheriff’s deputies and local law officers from enforcing federal firearms laws that are not mirrored by similar state laws. Under penalty of arrest and serious fines ($50,000), state and local officers refused to work with federal agencies such as the ATF. These officials also left joint violent crime task forces that involved federal agencies. This law is in the appeals courts now and is likely to be overturned in federal court as unconstitutional. The general rule of law is that federal law supersedes state and local law not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
More than three years ago, I emailed letters to my state Rep. Vic Allred, state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. In these letters, I suggested legislation to allow for stricter gun control laws in the local communities of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Kansas City and Jackson County. I also suggested local ordinances requiring permits for handguns and assault weapons, and to carry or transport loaded weapons of this type in these jurisdictions. Residents of these special jurisdictions, currently carrying concealed weapons (handguns and assault rifles) would be grandfathered in, as long as they did not carry a loaded handgun or assault weapon outside their residence or business property. I also detailed specifics of these permit requirements, including criminal penalties, firearm and vehicle seizures, and a special gun court.
I received no feedback or questions from these government leaders.
Remember the perpetrators of the Chiefs rally mass shooting at Union Station were carrying and using handguns and an assault rifle.
Come on, Missouri. We can do better. We can save lives and protect our children and families from tragedy.
Peter W. Lobdell is a retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent. He lives in Parkville.
