Missouri GOP votes down bill to ban children from carrying guns
Gun safety advocates participate in the 'March For Our Lives' rally in downtown Orlando, Florida, United States on June 11, 2022. (Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Republican-controlled House voted against the measure to stop concealed carry by minors in public
The Republican-led House in Missouri on Wednesday voted against a proposal to ban minors from openly carrying firearms without adult supervision in public.
The proposal failed by a 104-39 vote, with only one Republican state representative voting in support of it.
Democratic state Rep. Donna Baringer told the Associated Press that police in her district were concerned about "14-year-olds walking down the middle of the street in the city of St. Louis carrying AR-15s," and are demanding change.
"Now they have been emboldened, and they are walking around with them," Baringer said regarding concealed carry by children in Missouri. "Until they actually brandish them, and brandish them with intent, our police officers' hands are handcuffed."
In 2017, Missouri lawmakers voted to repeal concealed carry requirements in most situations.
The House debate on the issue lasted hours, with lawmakers discussing the best way to fight crime, specifically in the St. Louis area.
