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Supreme Court Declines to Revive Missouri Gun Law
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jefferson City, MO – The Supreme Court on October 5, 2025, rejected a bid to reinstate a Missouri law that aimed to shield residents from federal gun regulations. The law, passed in 2021, prohibited state law enforcement from enforcing federal laws deemed to infringe upon Second Amendment rights. This decision leaves in place lower court rulings that found the missouri law unconstitutional.
The case centered on Missouri’s attempt to assert state sovereignty over federal gun control measures. Supporters of the law argued it was a necessary defense against potential overreach by the federal government. Opponents, including the Biden administration, contended that the law created an unconstitutional conflict between state and federal authority.
Background of the Missouri law
Missouri’s law, officially known as Senate Bill 21, was enacted amidst growing national debate over gun control.It specifically targeted federal laws related to registration, bans on certain firearms, and restrictions on magazine capacity.The state argued that these federal regulations violated the Second Amendment right to bear arms. This law is about protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens,
stated then-Governor Mike Parson upon signing the bill into law.
Did You Know?
Missouri was not the onyl state to pursue similar legislation. Several other states introduced bills aimed at resisting federal gun control measures,but Missouri’s law was the most comprehensive and directly challenged federal authority.
Legal challenges and Lower Court Rulings
The law faced immediate legal challenges from the federal government and gun control advocacy groups. A federal district court in Missouri issued a preliminary injunction blocking the law’s enforcement, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this injunction, further solidifying the legal precedent against the Missouri law.
The state of Missouri then appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the eighth Circuit’s decision was flawed and that the law was a legitimate exercise of state sovereignty.Though, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, effectively letting the lower court rulings stand. This decision does not necessarily rule on the constitutionality of federal gun laws themselves, but rather affirms the principle of federal supremacy.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Missouri SB 21 enacted | 2021 |
| Federal injunction issued | 2022 |
| Eighth Circuit upholds injunction | 2024 |
| Supreme Court declines review | Oct 5, 2025 |
Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant victory for the Biden administration and gun control advocates. It reinforces the federal government’s authority to regulate firearms and prevents states from actively obstructing federal law enforcement. The ruling is expected to have a chilling effect on similar efforts in other states.
Pro Tip: Understanding the Supremacy Clause is key to grasping the implications of this ruling. It establishes that federal laws are supreme to state laws when ther is a conflict.
SCOTUS declines to hear Missouri’s challenge to its law barring enforcement of federal gun laws. A win for the Biden admin & federal authority. #SCOTUS #GunControl
– Legal Analyst (@LegalAnalystX) Oct 5, 2025
The decision is likely to fuel further debate over the Second Amendment and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. This is a clear message that states cannot simply ignore federal law,
commented legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky. [Source: American Bar Association Journal](https://www.americanbar.org)
