Supreme Court says Missouri can't bar local police from helping to enforce federal gun laws

The Supreme Court declined to revive a controversial Missouri law on Friday that prohibits local law enforcement from helping federal officials enforce federal gun regulations.

The Justice Department had challenged the 2021 law - called the Second Amendment Preservation Act - arguing it interferes with the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which states that federal laws take precedence over state laws.

The state law imposes penalties - up to $50,000 - for assisting with the enforcement of federal laws that Missouri's General Assembly believes may be unconstitutional, including those requiring the registration of certain dangerous weapons and others that require firearms dealers to keep records.

The statute does, however, allow state agencies to assist with enforcement of federal laws that have state analogues, such as those involving felony crimes.

A federal judge in the state blocked the law in March, siding with the Biden administration. An appeals court declined to put that ruling on hold, prompting Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to turn to the Supreme Court.

Friday, the court rejected the state's petition.

Justice Clarence Thomas said he would have allowed the law to go into effect. Justice Neil Gorsuch, joined by Justice Samuel Alito, wrote a short statement saying he agreed with the court's order "under the present circumstances."