By Nate Raymond
In a significant victory for President Joe Biden's administration, a federal appeals court has ruled that a state law in Missouri, which declared several federal gun laws "invalid," is unconstitutional.
The St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Missouri's attempt to overturn a lower court's decision blocking the enforcement of the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
The law, signed by Republican Governor Mike Parson in 2021, declared certain federal regulations on firearms as infringements on individuals' Second Amendment rights.
The Biden administration argued that the law impeded the government's ability to enforce federal law and caused many state and local law enforcement agencies in Missouri to stop assisting in the enforcement of federal gun laws.
Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Steven Colloton emphasized that while states can withhold assistance to federal law enforcement, they cannot invalidate federal law.
The panel's decision, which included two Republican appointees and one Democratic appointee, was upheld by both the 8th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, stated that he will continue to fight for Missourians' Second Amendment rights, while the Justice Department declined to comment.
Analysis:
The ruling by the federal appeals court is a significant blow to Missouri's attempt to invalidate federal gun laws. This decision reaffirms the federal government's authority to enforce laws regarding firearms and upholds the supremacy of federal law over state laws that conflict with it. For individuals living in Missouri, this means that they will continue to be subject to federal gun regulations, and state and local law enforcement agencies will be required to assist in the enforcement of these laws. Overall, this ruling highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between state and federal law and the implications it can have on individual rights and legal enforcement.