CLAYTON 鈥 狐狸视频 County Council Chair Shalonda Webb proposed gun control legislation that mirrors a bill passed earlier this summer in 狐狸视频 to crack down on open-carry in the city.
狐狸视频 County already has limitations on gun possession for children younger than 16 and on firing a weapon in public, according to the .
Webb鈥檚 plan would require a concealed carry license in order to openly carry a gun in unincorporated 狐狸视频 County.
鈥淓lderly people feel like they can鈥檛 come outside because 13-year-olds are walking around with AR-15s,鈥 said Webb, a Democrat from unincorporated north 狐狸视频 County. 鈥淚鈥檓 working on this legislation to provide a tool to law enforcement to help take these unlawful open carry firearms off the street.鈥
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The bill already faces scrutiny. Republican Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin said he will oppose the legislation because it would 鈥渃urtail the gun rights of law-abiding citizens.鈥
鈥淚 will always stand firm against any attempts that seek to undermine the ability of Missourians to protect themselves and their loved ones as efforts to prevent constitutional carry would,鈥 Harder said in a prepared statement.
Webb鈥檚 legislation would require anyone openly carrying a gun to provide a valid government-issued concealed carry license if a police officer demands it. Anyone over 18 who violates the rule could face a fine up to $500 or jail time up to a year, or both. Children could face a fine up to $500, community service or both.
To get a , applicants must be at least 19-years-old and have taken a safety class, among other requirements. While people may choose to obtain a license, concealed and open carry are legal in Missouri without one for people older than 19.
Webb wants county municipalities to pass their own versions of her legislation so the rule is consistent throughout the county, not just in unincorporated territory. Otherwise, the rule wouldn鈥檛 be fair to residents who may not know the rules as they pass through the county鈥檚 dozens of municipalities.
Webb announced in early August she was considering gun control legislation. The announcement came a day before 狐狸视频 Mayor Tishaura Jones signed legislation from Alderwoman Cara Spencer cracking down on open-carry.
Spencer introduced the legislation in May after high-profile images of young people displaying automatic rifles downtown proliferated online and in the news.
Spencer鈥檚 measure gives police authority to disarm anyone openly carrying a firearm if they can鈥檛 produce a government-issued concealed carry permit. A companion bill requires officers to tell people they don鈥檛 have to consent to searches without warrants or probable cause.
Spencer said her measure takes advantage of an exception in state law that allows local governments to ban open carry for people who don鈥檛 have a concealed carry permit. Mayor Tishaura Jones signed those bills in early August.
Later that month, Jones announced additional plans to ban 鈥渕ilitary-grade鈥 weapons in city streets, including the AR-15 and AK-47 model rifles.
Experts said the plan violates the Second Amendment guaranteeing firearm rights, though aides to Jones argued it would still make progress. Kids caught with automatic weapons would face fines and community service under the plan, rather than potential jail time on state or federal charges.
Missouri鈥檚 conservative governor and attorney general blasted the mayor鈥檚 plan as unconstitutional.
Webb鈥檚 legislation is Bill 203. The County Council could consider her proposal as soon as next week.