By Elizabeth Crisp, Post Dispatch
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A group of St. Louis-area House members is drawing attention for proposing legislation that would outlaw certain semi-automatic firearms.
The measure, sponsored by Democrats Rory Ellenger of University City, Jill Schupp of Creve Coeur, Margo McNeil of Florissant and Rochelle Walton Gray of Black Jack, is sure to fail in Missouri’s GOP-controlled Legislature. Each year, hundreds of bills fall to the wayside without much consideration, and this one will most likely end up in that pile.
House Speaker Tim Jones, a Republican from Eureka who sets the chamber’s agenda, has repeatedly stated that he’s committed to protecting gun rights.
Nevertheless, the National Rifle Association has condemned the DOA proposal, and conservative pundits are blasting thebill.
“Compelling law-abiding citizens to surrender their firearms and magazines is unconstitutional, wrong and another failed attempt to reduce crime,” the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action wrote in a recent web post. “Criminals—by definition—violate laws, especially gun control laws. They will never surrender their firearms, or comply with any gun control scheme. HB 545 would only affect the lawful, while ignoring the actual problem of violent criminals who misuse firearms.”
According to KMOV, Ellinger and Schupp have reported receiving “threatening” messages from pro-gun advocates since filing the proposal, and they have reported the calls to the Capitol Police.
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Here’s a look at some of the other gun proposals that have been made a month into the legislative session and where they stand:
(Note: Bills must be sent to a committee before a hearing can be held, but committees aren’t required to hear each bill they receive. All statuses as of Friday, Feb. 15)
Hearing held:
SB 75 would require schools to teach gun safety programs for first-graders. Voted out of committee and sent to floor.
SB 150 would declare certain federal gun regulations unenforceable in Missouri. Committee has not yet voted.
Referred to a committee but no hearing held:
HB162 aims to ensure that certain firearms made in Missouri don’t fall under the purview of the federal government if they stay within the state’s borders.
HB170 would make it illegal for federal officials to enforce federal firearms laws related to guns that have never left the state borders. It would also bar federal officials from implementing any restrictions on semiautomatic firearms.
SB 124 would create a crime of “failing to stop illegal firearm possession” and require parents to notify schools if they have guns in their homes.
Not assigned to a committee:
HCR20 would affirm the state’s commitment to the Second Amendment in a resolution sent to the state’s congressional delegation.
http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB276&year=2013&code=R” target=”_blank”>HB70 and HB276 would allow teachers and other school officials to carry concealed firearms in schools.
HB89 would create a misdemeanor crime of “failure to secure a firearm.”
HB187 would close the state’s so-called “gun show loophole” that allows certain firearms sales to be made without background checks.
HB209 would make it illegal for federal officials to enforce federal firearms laws related to guns that have never left the state borders. It would also bar federal officials from implementing any restrictions on semiautomatic firearms.
HB350 would make it illegal to publish info on firearm owners and bar doctors from inquiring about guns in the home.
HB390 deals with simultaneous gun and controlled substance possession.
HB392 and HB485 would create a crime of “unlawful use of a firearm” for cases when someone commits a felony while in possession of a firearm.
HB420 deals with concealed carry/open carry and local ordinances.
HB494 would outlaw the possession of “high capacity firearm magazine(s)”
HB533 would let state workers to keep their firearms in their cars when parked on state property.
SB266 would bar health care provider from including info about gun ownership in medical records.
SB268 would prohibit local ordinances that restrict open carry of firearms.
SB325 would declare the enforcement of certain federal gun regulations unenforceable in Missouri.
