St. Louis Alderman Pushes ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban for Law-Abiding Citizens

St. Louis alderman Lyda Krewson (D-28th Ward) is pushing a ban that will require law-abiding citizens to get rid of their “assault weapons” over a 60-day period or face fines and jail time.

She also wants to require lock boxes in which law-abiding citizens with guns in their cars lock those guns up so they cannot be accessed.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Krewson’s push to ban “assault weapons” is in response to the open carry of such weapons during protests/demonstrations as well the GOP-led legislature’s decision to recognize the permitless carry of handguns throughout the state. Krewson did not cite any crimes that were committed at demonstrations with openly carried rifles nor did she cite any crimes committed by law-abiding citizens carrying handguns without a permit.

Under Krewson’s “assault weapons” ban, “city residents who already own an assault weapon would have 60 days after it becomes law to dispose of the weapon or remove it from the city limits.” Once the 60 days are over, “any assault weapon carried or possessed… would be subject to seizure and forfeiture by the city. Violating the law would carry a 90-day jail sentence and up to a $500 fine.”

She did not provide details on what “assault weapons” are. Rather, she said they are “military-style weapons.” She added, “Most people don’t think assault weapons are essential to self-defense or hunting.” She missed the fact that law-abiding citizens who live in Democrat-run cities — like St. Louis — often do believe “assault weapons” are great weapons to own for self-defense. They allow an outnumbered homeowner to quickly level the playing field when two or more armed home invaders kick in the front door and enter the home with evil intent.

Krewson also wants to criminalize gun owners if their guns are stolen and they fail to report the theft within 48 hours. “Failure to… report a lost or stolen gun would also be punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.”

This could be problematic for gun owners who do not immediately realize their guns have been stolen or who are out of town when they are stolen.

AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of “Bullets with AWR Hawkins,” a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.