Lewis Reed & Randee Steffan (Photo courtesy of Jill Enders)
A proposed ordinance is moving forward that would require St. Louis gun dealers to report to police any customers who fail background checks. Board Bill 106 passed unanimously out an Aldermanic committee on Tuesday morning. Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, the bill’s sponsor, says he pleased with the outcome.
“Certainly common sense gun laws can help us here in the city of St. Louis. We see on average of 2,000 shootings a year in the city and over a 180 people will be shot and killed this year and that’s a major issue.” Reed said.
A group from the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action attended the hearing to support the measure. Treasurer Randee Steffen testified during the hearing. She also disputed what critics are saying about this measure not being effective.
Alderman Joseph Vaccaro (Photo courtesy of Jill Enders)
“Yes, criminals will get guns off of the streets, but we’ve also have seen in other states, in Virginia for example, there’s been 5,000 people going in and trying to make illegal purchases, with over 12% of those have been investigated and charges have been brought.” Steffen explained.
No one spoke in opposition to the measure.
All seven committee members also added their names to sponsor the bill. The bill will receive a second reading on Friday.
Reed said he expects the bill to go before the full Board of Aldermen in about three weeks.
By Missourinet contributor Jill Enders
Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet
