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Nieves, Nasheed Say NRA Misrepresents Language In Nullification Bill

(l-r) Mo. Senators Jamilah Nasheed, D-STL, and Brian Nieves, R-Washington, Mo., discuss NRA opposition to SB 613.
Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio
(l-r) Mo. Senators Jamilah Nasheed, D-STL, and Brian Nieves, R-Washington, Mo., discuss NRA opposition to SB 613.

The National Rifle Association is taking some heat from two Missouri state senators over legislation to nullify federal gun control laws within the state.

The NRA is publicly opposing Senate Bill 613, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, because of new language to require a 72-hour period for reporting stolen firearms.  The amendment was sponsored by state Sen. JamilahNasheed, D-St. Louis.

"I just am appalled by the fact that the NRA, those individuals that say that they support gun safety and gun security, that they would come out against this bill," Nasheed said.

State Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, Mo., is the bill's sponsor.  He says the NRA is confusing Nasheed's amendment with Senate bills 556 and 565, also sponsored by Nasheed, that would make it a crime not to report lost or stolen weapons.

"(Nasheed's) amendment does not create a crime, it does not have a penalty of $1,000, (and) it does not include weapons or firearms that have been lost," Nieves said.  "It exclusively talks about firearms that have been stolen."

Nieves told reporters Thursday that he's "not crazy" about Nasheed's amendment but he wants the bill to advance through the legislative process.  He also predicts the 72-hour reporting period will be removed when the House and Senate negotiate the final version of the nullification bill.

If it becomes law, Senate Bill 613 would nullify federal gun control laws in Missouri and make it a misdemeanor for federal officers to enforce those laws, punishable by a $1000 fine and up to a year in jail. It received first-round approval, also known as being "perfected," from the Missouri Senate Wednesday, and it needs one more Senate vote before moving to the Missouri House. 

So far, no one from the NRA has responded to requests for comment.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.
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