WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) – A U.S. federal judge has ruled that a Missouri state law that aims to invalidate several federal gun regulations is unconstitutional, handing a victory to the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday in its bid to get the law.
In a 24-page opinion, US District Judge Brian Wimes for the Western District of Missouri wrote that the state’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA), also known as “HB85,” violates the supremacy clause of the US Constitution, a doctrine that holds. that federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws.
“The practical effects of SAPA are antithetical to its stated purpose,” Wimes wrote.
“While purporting to protect citizens, SAPA exposes citizens to greater harm by interfering with the federal government’s ability to enforce statutory firearms regulations designed by Congress for the purpose of protecting citizen.”
Spokesmen for Missouri Governor Michael Parson had no immediate comment on the decision.
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The Justice Department previously said HB85, which was signed into law in June 2021, undermined the partnership between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and state and local law enforcement.
“HB 85 causes many state and local law enforcement agencies to cease voluntarily assisting in the enforcement of any federal firearms offense, or even offering critical investigative assistance to the federal government for use in its enforcement activities,” Justice Department attorneys wrote in their February 2022 civil complaint against Missouri.
A Justice Department spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the judge’s decision.
Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; additional reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Josie Kao
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