JEFFERSON CITY — Democrats in the Missouri House renewed their call for tougher gun laws Monday in the wake of a deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration.
But with Republicans holding a supermajority in both the House and Senate, the demands made in an announcement on the steps of the Capitol are aimed more at voters in November than on their GOP colleagues in the building.
“As a superminority party, there isn’t a lot we can do when it comes to policy. We can get loud and draw attention to this. Absolutely, voters need to hold these folks accountable,” said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, who is running for governor.
“We all know how this is going to play out. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to cause as much chaos as we can to draw attention to this,” Quade added.
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For many of the Democrats, the call for action on tightening the state’s loose gun regulations was personal. Most had been at the event when the shooting broke out near Union Station.
Quade said she was in a bathroom inside when the incident began. She and other adults worked to shield children from any potential threat as they waited for an all clear. She said it was “complete terror.”
Jackson County juvenile authorities have charged two minors in connection with the shooting following the death of one woman and injuries to more than 20 parade attendees.
Republicans had a chance last year to prohibit minors from possessing firearms on public property, but the House turned down the proposed amendment.
Democrats are planning to introduce a resolution this week in support of a change in law that gives local units of government more power to make their own public safety laws.
But Quade said she wasn’t optimistic about garnering support across the aisle for any significant changes.
“I don’t expect the Republicans to do anything about this,” she said.
Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, issued an emotional plea during a hearing of the House Rural Community Development Committee Monday, calling on lawmakers to address the state’s firearms laws.
“We have a gun violence problem in this state,” Burton said.
The response by Republicans mirrors their decision in 2022 to leave the state’s gun policies unchanged after a school shooting in Ƶ.
However, House Majority Leader Jon Patterson confirmed Monday he is shelving two bills that would expand gun rights, deeming them inappropriate for passage after the event.
Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, told reporters Monday that legislation allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring guns onto public transportation and into churches, as well as a separate initiative to exempt guns and ammunition from sales taxes, would not be moving forward this year.
“I just don’t think now is the time,” Patterson said.
Quade had a different take on Patterson’s actions.
“They know if they move those bills the public will freak out,” she said.
Patterson didn’t outright dismiss the Democrats’ call for action, especially as more information is released about the shooting.
“I think we’ll know more in the coming weeks,” Patterson said.
One gun control measure that does have Republican support is a law raising penalties for celebratory gunfire. The Legislature last year approved “Blair’s Law,” but it was vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson over an unrelated provision.
The measure is again part of a larger crime package that is moving through the House and Senate.