President Barack Obama's call for greater gun restrictions is being met with opposition in the Missouri Legislature.
Obama called upon Congress on Wednesday to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines as part of a sweeping package aimed at reducing gun violence.
But at the Missouri Capitol, Republican state Sen. Brian Munzlinger filed legislation Wednesday that attempts to nullify any federal law restricting semiautomatic guns and accessories. Munzlinger's bill would make it a felony for federal agents to try to enforce a ban on guns that are made and remain in Missouri.
A similar bill was filled Tuesday by Republican Missouri House member Casey Guernsey. It's co-sponsored by more than 60 representatives.
Some Democratic lawmakers say the bills are a waste of time, because federal laws supersede conflicting state laws.
On the federal level, Missouri's two U.S. senators are divided on the president's agenda for reducing gun violence.
Republican Sen. Roy Blunt said Wednesday that Obama's proposals "fundamentally fail" to address ways of preventing tragic events like the shooting the killed 26 people at a Connecticut school. He says the focus should be on treatment for the mentally ill.
Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill says she supports services for the mentally ill, as well as Obama's proposals to expand background checks to all gun purchases and limit the size of ammunition magazines that can be sold. McCaskill says such steps can be taken while still protecting Second Amendment rights.
But Blunt says Obama's proposals attempt to restrict Second Amendment rights.
Follow St. Louis Public Radio on Twitter: @stlpublicradio
