News peace February 19, 2013 0 Comments

Mo. House Bill Makes Proposing Gun Control Legislation A Felony Offense

By The Associated Press and Chris McDaniel, St. Louis Public Radio
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Lawmakers proposing gun control legislation could end up in prison under a bill introduced by a Missouri House Republican.

Rep. Mike Leara, of St. Louis County, said Tuesday that he has no illusions that his bill actually will pass and become law. But Leara said in a written statement that he introduced it as a matter of principle in defense of gun rights.

The legislation filed Monday would make members of the Legislature guilty of a felony if they introduce legislation restricting gun rights. If convicted, lawmakers could serve prison terms of up to four years.

Leara’s measure is the latest in a series of strident gun proposals in Missouri. It comes after a Democratic lawmaker proposed outlawing all assault weapons.

Rep. Eric Burlison of Greene County featured the assault weapons ban legislation in a recent web video in which he takes the bill to a gun range. Eventually the bill is shot and Burlison, a Republican, jokes that “it does make for a good bill.”

The legislation that would control gun control legislation has been making the rounds on Twitter and prominent liberal outlets like Talking Points Memo and Think Progress. And Democratic Rep. Stacey Newman, who proposed the assault weapons ban bill that was shot in Burlison’s video, tweeted about the bill.