Law enforcement and gun enthusiasts oppose Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act
On Sunday, “60 Minutes” reporter Norah O’Donnell examined Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) which claims to invalidate all federal gun control laws and prohibits state and local cooperation with enforcement of those laws. Several members of law enforcement oppose the new law and surprisingly, so do many gun enthusiasts.
“I shoot once a week, at minimum,” said Butler County prosecuting attorney Kacey Proctor. “My kids shoot. My seven-year-old owns multiple firearms. I am all in favor of responsible people owning firearms, and raising their children to own firearms responsibly...What I oppose about [SAPA], and what I would ask for, to be looked at and possibly fixed, is the ability for law enforcement officers to interact with their federal partners, to go after people who are violent in nature and are committing crimes in our community.”
Poplar Bluff, Missouri police chief Danny Whiteley is one of many officers who oppose the new law. Without the aid of the federal government, he believes local investigators lack the data systems and resources to apprehend and prosecute criminals on gun charges.
“Several policemen and sheriffs that we've spoken to have told us they think that this law benefits criminals,” O’Donnell told Whiteley. “Is that too strong of a statement?”
“No,” Whiteley said confidently. “[I] don't think it does, I know it does.”
State Representative Jered Taylor, who co-sponsored SAPA, was asked by O’Donnell if he would be willing to make some revisions to the law. “I'm not willing to even consider that at this point,” Taylor said. “But of course, I'm always willing to work with law enforcement and, you know, better understand the way that they operate and what they do.”
Video Transcript
NORAH O'DONNELL: Several policemen and sheriffs that we've spoken to have told us they think that this law benefits criminals, is that too strong of a statement?
- No, I don't think it does. I know it does.
KYLIE MAR: On Sunday, "60 Minutes's," Norah O'Donnell examines Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act or SAPA for short, that claims to invalidate all federal gun control laws and prohibit state and local cooperation with enforcement of those laws. Several members of law enforcement, like police Chief Danny Whiteley, oppose the new law, and surprisingly so do many gun enthusiasts.
CASEY PROCTOR: I shoot once a week at a minimum. My kids shoot, my seven-year-old owns multiple firearms. I am all in favor of responsible people owning firearms and raising their children to own firearms responsibly.
KYLIE MAR: Butler County prosecuting attorney Casey Proctor supports people of all ages enjoying guns, but he also thinks SAPA benefits criminals more than it does law enforcement.
CASEY PROCTOR: I oppose about it and what I would ask for it to be looked at and possibly fixed is the ability for law enforcement officers to interact with their federal partners to go after people who are violent in nature and are committing crimes in our community.
KYLIE MAR: While some cities have tried to block the law citing that it curtails law enforcement officers ability to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute criminals, state representative Jared Taylor, who co-sponsored SAPA, is not prepared to make any concessions.
NORAH O'DONNELL: Would you be willing to go back and say, OK, let's take a look at the law and make the changes.
- I'm not willing to even consider that at this point, but of course, I'm always willing to work with law enforcement and, you know, better understand the way that they operate and what they do.
