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Koster Opposing Bill That Could Nullify Federal Gun Laws In Mo.

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,
Marshall Griffin
Published September 3, 2013 at 5:56 PM CDT
(Official Portrait, Missouri Attorney General's office)

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is siding with fellow Democrat, Governor Jay Nixon, in opposition to legislation that would challenge the federal government's ability to enforce federal gun laws in Show-Me State.

Ina letter sent Tuesday to House Speaker Tim Jones (R, Eureka),Kostersays if lawmakers override the Governor's veto of House Bill 436, the potential new law could end cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies and give criminals the right to sue police officers who try to enforce it.  State Representative DougFunderburk (R, St. Charles), the bill's sponsor, callsKoster'sinterpretation of his bill "extreme."

"(Koster) even confesses in his letter (that) he's taking the strictest view of the language, and I think even the incorrect view, and then establishing all these premises based on what I feel is a wrong interpretation of the statute," Funderburk said.

Jones released a response hours after Koster made his letter public:

“I am disappointed that our Attorney General has again opted to regurgitate the governor’s talking points rather than stand with a bipartisan supermajority in the House and Senate in defense of the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Missourians. What he fails to acknowledge in his politically-motivated letter is that the bill, at its core, seeks to affirm our rights as a state by pushing back against a federal government that has far exceeded the authority it was intended to have by our founding fathers. We will be further analyzing and examining the specific legal issues raised by the Attorney General and will respond if additional comment is necessary."

Among the bill's provisions is one that would charge federal agents with a misdemeanor if they try to enforce a federal gun law that's found to conflict with the proposed state law.  House Bill 436 was vetoed earlier this year by Governor Nixon, but Republican leaders are expected to attempt an override during next week's veto session.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

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Missouri News kosternixontim jonesdoug funderburkGun Law
Marshall Griffin
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.
See stories by Marshall Griffin
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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