Across Missouri, the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) created legal and operational conflicts that disrupted how law enforcement protects communities and serves lawful gun owners.

Originally enacted in 2021, SAPA attempted to restrict cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal agencies on firearm-related enforcement, including participation in joint task forces and information sharing tied to federal cases.

Because modern law enforcement relies on coordinated efforts across jurisdictions, these restrictions led to real-world consequences—forcing some Missouri police departments to withdraw from federal task forces focused on violent crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and child exploitation.

SAPA also created confusion around routine law enforcement functions, including the ability to enter stolen firearms into national databases and recover them for lawful owners—undermining protections for the very people the law claimed to support.

Federal courts ultimately struck down SAPA as unconstitutional, finding it conflicted with the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. Despite that ruling, similar legislative efforts continue to be introduced.

Missouri law enforcement leaders oppose these renewed efforts because they recreate the same problems: reduced cooperation, fewer tools to address violent crime, and policies that do not deliver on their stated goal of protecting Second Amendment rights.

The Police Chiefs Legislative Coalition is asking the General Assembly to reject legislation that weakens public safety and instead support policies that both protect constitutional rights and preserve effective coordination between all levels of law enforcement.