CLAYTON, Mo, (KMOX) - After six weeks of input and discussion, the St. Louis County Council has approved an ordinance to ban domestic violence offenders from carrying concealed weapons.
It only applies in unincorporated areas.
3rd District Councilman Tim Fitch cast one of the three "nays" in the 4-3 vote, "I doubt there are many domestic violence abusers out there on their way to abuse their estranged wives who think 'Wait there's a county ordinance on this, & am I in an unincorporated area? Does this apply or not?'"
South County Councilman Ernie Trakas tried to get the county counselor to recommend throwing it out, "This bill over-reaches. It's not well thought out, and I believe violates state law."
Councilmember Kelli Dunaway said county prosecutors may be more likely than federal prosecutors to take up such cases, "We'd like to do a whole lot more to protect people from the gun violence we see breaking out all around us, including in my neighborhood in Maryland Heights last night. Even though this doesn't go far enough, I think it's a good first step in the right direction."
Council chair Lisa Clancy said Kansas City recently passed a similar type of law.