Federal gun laws may soon be nullified in Missouri

Federal gun laws may soon be nullified in Missouri

A pro-gun bill in Missouri may soon nullify federal gun laws within the state, even going so far as to entitle citizens arrested under federal gun statutes to sue the arresting officer.

From The New York Times:

The law amounts to the most far-reaching states’ rights endeavor in the country, the far edge of a growing movement known as “nullification” in which a state defies federal power.

The Missouri Republican Party thinks linking guns to nullification works well, said Matt Wills, the party’s director of communications, thanks in part to the push by President Obama for tougher gun laws. “It’s probably one of the best states’ rights issues that the country’s got going right now,” he said.

The measure was vetoed last month by Gov. Jay Nixon (pictured), a Democrat, as unconstitutional. But when the legislature gathers again on Sept. 11, it will seek to override his veto, even though most experts say the courts will strike down the measure. Nearly every Republican and a dozen Democrats appear likely to vote for the override.

One interesting feature of the debate over the law and its effects is the reference to law and the constitution. It’s refreshing to see that some lawmakers still actually consider the constitution when they draft and implement laws, considering the many recent examples of presidential overreach.

Kudos to Missouri for referring to our most important document instead of willfully disregarding it, as Barrack Obama is prone to do.

Source: New York Times
Photo: Gov. Nixon smiling by MoNewsHorizon, on Flickr


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