JEFFERSON CITY — A top Republican in the Missouri Legislature cast doubt Monday on whether state lawmakers will take up any legislation addressing the gun violence that has claimed the lives of at least 13 children in the city of ºüÀêÊÓƵ this year.
A day after a weekend that saw a 15-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl added to the toll, told the Post-Dispatch he’s open to any solution that might address the problem.
But the Franklin County Republican said he hasn’t heard of any potential fixes that would gain traction in the gun-friendly GOP-controlled Senate and House.
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“Obviously, anytime we see a rise in this kind of violence it is a problem,†Schatz said. “But I don’t know if anything is on the horizon. I don’t know if anyone has the answer.â€
Lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol on Sept. 11 for their annual veto session. In addition, Gov. Mike Parson has scheduled a special session to run at the same time dealing with a tax issue affecting car buyers.
Democratic leaders have called for Parson to schedule action on gun violence, but the Republican has not signaled that will happen.
On Saturday, members of the Legislature’s Black Caucus sent a letter to Parson, a Republican, asking that he add consideration of a law to allow municipalities with high incidents of gun violence to pass their own gun control legislation.
“We took this action in the wake of tragic deaths of over a dozen children this year. We consider this an emergency that demands the attention of the entire General Assembly and the Governor. Action must be taken to stem this rise in gun violence in our cities and to help local law enforcement protect our children,†said , a ºüÀêÊÓƵ Democrat who chairs the caucus.
, added that gun violence is the No. 1 issue in ºüÀêÊÓƵ and Kansas City.
“We are taking one devastating blow after another, child after child. We can surely intervene and allow local municipal government to make the right decisions; that will protect lives,†Bosley said.
Schatz said he’s unaware of support among the GOP for allowing cities to approve gun laws that differ from the rest of the state, pointing to Chicago as an example of where tougher firearms restrictions haven’t translated into an end to violence.
“I think we need to look deeper at the societal issues that are playing a role in the violence,†Schatz said. “I don’t want to look at passing any measures that will make people feel good, but won’t be effective.â€
Parson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the call for a special session. Nor did House , R-Springfield.
The call for a clampdown on Missouri gun laws came two years after the GOP-led Legislature approved a law that removes licensing requirements on carrying or using a gun around people.
The law taking effect on Jan. 1, 2017 allows gun owners to carry a concealed weapon without a state-issued permit.
The law allows anyone 19 or older to legally carry a concealed weapon with no training and no concealed-carry permit.
The issue came to the fore earlier this month when a 20-year-old man caused a panic by walking into a Springfield Walmart with an assault-style rifle. He was charged with making terroristic threats, but prosecutors have not charged him with any gun crime.
Parson loosening licensing requirements as a state senator from Bolivar during the 2016 legislative session. In the Missouri House, he co-sponsored a Missouri’s “Castle Doctrine,†which allows individuals to use deadly force in defense of their own homes.
Parson, after taking office last year, spoke about ºüÀêÊÓƵ-area crime during a meeting in Jefferson City with ºüÀêÊÓƵ Mayor Lyda Krewson and then-County Executive Steve Stenger.
Parson said he wanted to work with the duo to address crime issues.
“I’m going to talk about the crime issue across the state and how important that is for all Missourians. It’s not in isolated areas. It’s all of our problem,†Parson said at the time. “My plan is to be able to give them the tools they need to get the job done.â€
Earlier this month, speaking to reporters, Parson said “background checks are fine,†though he has yet to propose any legislation addressing background checks.
Parson also said he supported more law enforcement officers, more mental health resources, and “when people are on social media today, some of the things they’re putting out — yeah I think that should be flagged sometimes. If you’re threatening to kill somebody, somebody ought to know you’re doing it.â€
, seized on those comments, saying she was “looking forward†to Parson supporting her “red flag†legislation, which would allow courts to confiscate firearms from people deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Parson’s office said he was speaking in reference to flagging social media posts, not individual gun owners.
“If the governor is interested in making differences in Missouri, red flag legislation has been proven effective in other states across the country that have passed it,†Lavender said. “It is a tool that our state can have to help prevent tragic events with guns.â€
Sentonio Cox, his body found in the 7300 block of Vermont Avenue, is the latest of at least 13 children killed by gunfire in ºüÀêÊÓƵ this year.
Mayor Lyda Krewson said the rewards are only offered until Sept. 1 to urge tipsters to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477 with what they kno…
Coverage of children who died in the ºüÀêÊÓƵ area in 2019
These are the local incidents of homicide or neglect involving children, based on Post-Dispatch reporting. This list doesn't include children killed in car accidents (unless a criminal charge was filed) or incidents not being investigated by homicide detectives.
A body that was found over the weekend in the parking lot of an East ºüÀêÊÓƵ middle school was identified Monday as that of a 13-year-old boy.
Police in Ferguson found two teen boys, ages 15 and 16, who both had been shot, inside a vehicle about 12:45 p.m. The older teen was seriously…
Sylvester Knighten Jr., 31, and the boy’s mother Danesha Cannamore, 31, were both arrested when police responded Wednesday to a call for an un…
The father of a 2-year-old girl killed in an accidental shooting in north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County this week is accused of leaving a loaded gun in a d…
Caleb Smith, was gunned down Wednesday in an alley in the 8300 block of Strathmore Place.
At 9:20 a.m., East St Louis police drove to the John de Shields Housing Complex, 1235 McCasland Avenue, after reports of a shooting.Â
Tavares Chisholm, 4, of ºüÀêÊÓƵ, was hit and killed by a car as his mother pushed him and a 2-year-old in a stroller. A 27-year-old was char…
A 15-year-old boy was gunned down before sunup when someone fired a flurry of shots into a home in the north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County area of Glasgow …
The shooting happened shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday near the 11100 block of Oak Parkway Lane, as the teen walked through an apartment complex …
A 3-year-old boy fatally shot himself after finding a gun in the Laurel Park apartments north of Jennings, police said.
He was found shot in the head just before 6 a.m. in the 7300 block of Vermont Avenue in the Carondelet neighborhood of south ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Police confirmed that a 10-year-old girl was among three people killed on the 700 block of North 21st Street around 6:30 p.m. The other victim…
Mayor Lyda Krewson urged tipsters to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477. The usual reward is up to $5,000 for helpful tips.
The shooting occurred about a block north of Soldan High School, where a football exhibition was held Friday night. Fights broke out at the ev…
The mayhem has left brass begging for leads, politicians promising change, and parents at wits’ end: frustrated by lackluster investigations, …
Officers found Jason Eberhart Jr. dead in a parking lot in the 1300 block of Hogan Street around 2 a.m. Police said he was shot several times.Â
Taylor Jordan Baumer, 20, of the 1000 block of Adworth Drive in Mehlville, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the fir…
The day before he was to start as a second grader at Clay Elementary, Xavier Usanga was fatally shot while standing near an 18-year-old who wa…
He was inside an apartment with a group of teenagers when he was shot. He was found dead soon after.
Eddie was shot about 8:30 p.m. at a home in the 4700 block of Page Boulevard near the intersection with Marcus Avenue, police said. He was sit…
Was found shot to death inside a vehicle at a gas station at 4355 South Broadway; a 16-year-old in the car was not injured.
Robert Michael “R.J.â€Â Dorsey, was shot about 9:15 p.m. in the 800 block of Vegas Drive, in south ºüÀêÊÓƵ County. He was shot in the torso an…
Two teens and one adult were shot about 7:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of Fourth Street in Madison. One of the teenagers died of his wounds.
Police found him lying in the street about 3 a.m. Tuesday with multiple gunshot wounds in the 44000 block of Cupples Place. He died the next day.
Michael Henderson Jr., 15, of Centreville was shot in the 800 block of East 15th Street. Police responded to the scene at 2:37 p.m.Â
Myiesha Cannon, 16, was shot in the head about 1:25 a.m. in the 4400 block of Lexington Avenue. Police have labeled the shooting as a "suspici…
Police are labeling the case a "suspicious death" and released no additional details. Her mother said she found a 9 mm pistol and accidentally…
Kennedi Powell and her neighborhood friends had just swarmed her father’s car for a piece of pizza Sunday evening when a white car drove past,…
Jashon Johnson, of the 2700 block of Allen Avenue, was shot several times near Red Bud and Margaretta, police said.
The parents of a baby girl who died last week after being left inside a hot car in Calverton Park were charged with manslaughter Monday.
Kristina Curry, 16, was found dead just before 5 a.m. Thursday on a rear parking lot at Roosevelt High School at 3230 Hartford Street, police said.Â
Jaylon McKenzie, 14, an eighth grader at Mason-Clark Middle School in East ºüÀêÊÓƵ who was featured in Sports Illustrated as one of six youn…
A St. John woman left three young children alone for several hours and came home to find her 4-month-old son dead, prosecutors say. She was ch…
Kayden Johnson, 2, and his mother Trina’ty Riley, 18, were found dead with gunshot wounds shortly before midnight in their home in the 5900 bl…
Curtis Marshall, 15, was the victim of a targeted shooting in the 1700 block of Cargill Drive, police said.Â
Police initially called the shooting a "suspicious death," but later said they had concluded Evione accidentally shot himself in the 1700 bloc…
Malik Moore, 17, was shot in the 100 block of Chambers Road about 2:50 p.m., authorities said. He lived on the same block, just west of Riverv…
Demarco Washington, 32, of the 10700 block of Spring Garden Drive in the Glasgow Village area, was charged with a felony count of child endang…
Elijah Roby, 2, died in a car accident. His mother, Ebony Roby, 25, was charged with first-degree child endangerment in connection with the case.
