Justice Department says new Missouri gun law unconstitutional, hurts public safety

Washington — The Justice Department on Wednesday asked a Missouri court to invalidate a new state law that prohibits state and local officials from enforcing federal firearms laws, arguing it violates the Constitution and has already done harm to public safety in the state.

Federal prosecutors filed a statement of interest in a challenge to the Missouri law brought by St. Louis and Jackson Counties, which seeks to block enforcement of the measure. The Justice Department told the Cole County Circuit Court it supports a finding that the law, known as HB85, is unconstitutional and an order halting its enforcement.  "HB85 has caused, and will continue to cause, significant harms to law enforcement within the state of Missouri," the Biden administration wrote in its filing. "HB85 is also plainly unconstitutional."