Why did St. Louis Board of Aldermen pass bill to ban Open Carry of Guns

On November 17, 2023, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen unanimously passed Board Bill 107, which bans the open carrying of firearms in the city. The bill is sponsored by 14th Ward Alderman Rasheen Aldridge and is intended to address concerns about the safety of open carry in a city with a high rate of gun violence.

Proponents of the bill argue that it will help to reduce crime and make St. Louis a safer place to live. They point to studies that have shown that open carry laws are associated with an increase in gun violence. They also argue that open carry can create a climate of fear and anxiety, particularly among people who are unfamiliar with guns.

Opponents of the bill argue that it is an infringement on the Second Amendment right to bear arms. They also argue that it will not be effective in reducing crime, as criminals will simply find other ways to obtain guns.

The bill is currently awaiting signature from Mayor Tishaura Jones. If signed into law, it will take effect 30 days after state law changes to allow municipalities to regulate open carry.

Here are some of the specific reasons why the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed Board Bill 107:

• To address concerns about the safety of open carry. There have been a number of incidents in St. Louis in recent years in which people have openly carried guns in public, causing alarm among residents and visitors. Proponents of the bill argue that open carry creates a climate of fear and anxiety, particularly among people who are unfamiliar with guns.
• To reduce crime. Studies have shown that open carry laws are associated with an increase in gun violence. Proponents of the bill argue that it will help to reduce crime by making it more difficult for criminals to obtain guns.
• To give the city more control over its gun laws. Missouri is a state with preemption laws that prevent cities from enacting their own gun laws. However, there is a ballot initiative currently underway to allow cities to have more control over their gun laws. Proponents of the bill argue that it is important to pass the bill now so that it can take effect if the ballot initiative is successful.

The passage of Board Bill 107 is a significant step in the fight to reduce gun violence in St. Louis. It is important to note that the bill is still awaiting signature from Mayor Jones and that it will not take effect until state law changes to allow municipalities to regulate open carry. However, the passage of the bill is a clear indication that the St. Louis Board of Aldermen is committed to making the city a safer place to live.tunesharemore_vert