From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Senate debated whether enough changes have been made to last year's gun bill for it to pass into law.

Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, presented what he called the "new and improved" SB 613. Nieves said the revised version removes references to previous gun control acts and asserts that "knowingly enforcing infringements to second amendment rights" leaves police liable.

The new version gives Missouri law enforcement discretionary power to appropriately interpose for law-abiding citizens and eliminates the portion of the bill forbidding gun owners' names be printed in the media, according to Nieves.

Nieves also said the bill allows, but does not require, school districts to install volunteer school protection officers, and should a citizen bring action against someone for violating their second amendment rights, the looser pays.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis County, said she does not support the bill. Nasheed said she does not think it would survive court challenge and does not address gun violence in the state.

"To bring forth a piece of legislation that does nothing to reduce gun violence is a slap in the face of many mothers who have lost their children as a result of gun violence," Nasheed said. "And it's a waste of taxpayers' dollars to deal with something we know is going to be found unconstitutional."

Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis County, submitted an amendment that would ensure state law enforcement can cooperate with federal law enforcement.

"I don't want state agents to potentially be brought to civil court for working with federal law officers on legitimate, joint task forces," Sifton said.

Nieves argued Sifton's amendment would gut the entire bill.

Sen. Holsman, D-Kansas City, introduced an amendment presenting self-defense sprays as a nonlethal solution to stopping violent threats. Part of Holsman's amendment would advertise which schools have protection officers and which do not, and Nieves objected to that portion.

Sen. Brad Lager, R-Maryville, proposed an amendment aimed at ensuring school protection officers are appropriately trained.

Debate continued, but no immediate action was taken on the bill.

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