“It’s baffling that a measure to protect our community and prevent minors from acquiring firearms would not be supported,” Manny Abarca said of Frank White.
Frank White called the ordinance “fundamentally flawed, unlawful, and counterproductive” in his own press release. The Legislature’s recent override of White’s veto led to the County Executive issuing his own press release, this time calling for an emergency amendment to the newly-enacted ordinance.
By Joe Arce
and Corey Crable
The Jackson County Legislature has overridden the veto of an ordinance that would restrict firearm possession by individuals under the age of 21, the latest in a litany of bitter disagreements between the legislative body and County Executive
Frank White.
The ordinance, made law by the Legislature at a recent meeting, is inspired in part by the shooting involving juveniles at the Super Bowl rally for the Kansas City Chiefs in February. It includes key provisions such as prohibition on purchases, controlled possession, and training and service inspections, according to a press release from the office of Legislator Manny Abarca of the 1st District. The district includes the Westside and historic Northeast neighborhoods.
According to the ordinance, “A person at least 18 years of age but less than 21 years of age may not possess a semiautomatic assault rifle” unless he or she is undergoing training or practicing shooting at an established shooting range, or unless he or she is using the weapon under the control of a legal parent or guardian.
“The bill was from our Latino summit meetings, where law enforcement suggested that violence coming from youth, teenagers, folks under 21 with the possession of a firearm was one
of their greatest challenges, and they were asking for solutions to conforming with laws that would allow them to remove weapons from youth, because, unfortunately, the state legislature had created a conflicting law with federal statute that said that anyone can hold a gun anywhere, anyplace, anytime,” Abarca explained to KC Hispanic News, adding that the ordinance would greatly benefit communities of color.
But White’s veto was swift, and Abarca responded to it in a press release the day after it occurred.
“It’s baffling that a measure to protect our community and prevent minors from acquiring firearms would not be supported,” Abarca’s press release reads. “The County Executive has made his stance clear -- he does not back this effort. If you believe this veto should be overridden, I urge you to contact your legislators and demand action.”
White called the ordinance “fundamentally flawed, unlawful, and counterproductive” in his own press release. The Legislature’s recent override of White’s veto led to the County Executive issuing his own press release, this time calling for an emergency amendment to the newly-enacted ordinance.
“As the ordinance currently stands, it inadvertently prohibits 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds from hunting with a semi-automatic rifle on someone else’s property, even if they have explicit permission from the property owner,” White’s press release notes. “To address this oversight, County Executive White has requested that the Legislature introduce an emergency amendment clarifying that young adults who hunt with permission are not at risk of criminal charges.”
In a statement addressed to the Jackson County Legislature, White emphasized the
ordinance’s conflict with Missouri’s preemption law, which prohibits local jurisdictions from imposing firearms regulations that go beyond state law. He added that the ordinance likely would lead to costly litigation against the county.
“While I am steadfast in my commitment to protecting our community, I cannot support legislation that is unlawful, unenforceable, and exposes Jackson County to costly legal battles,” White said in his press release. “I have never hesitated to challenge the state when it serves the public interest, but we must ensure that our actions are both necessary and legally sound. … Jackson County deserves policies that are effective, responsible, and avoid needless litigation.”
Abarca said the veto is just another example of White’s unwillingness to work with the Legislature.
“He has no opinion other than his own. He has no interest in collaborating. So this is a prime example of him putting his pride first and not the community,” Abarca said. “I talked to the county executive prior to the veto and he basically refused to have any robust discussion. With Frank White, it is a quid pro quo. It is, ‘Do this for me and I’ll do this for you.’ And it’s obvious that when you make him mad, he retaliates, and this is one of those ways.”
What the Legislature has effectively done, Abarca explained, is to “force the ordinance into law.”
“This is not a monarchy. Frank White is not the king of the county,” Abarca said. “Just because he says ‘no’ doesn’t mean it can’t happen. That’s why there’s a balance in government. The Legislature is that balance.” However in a late press release Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. issued the following statement following Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s announcement of his intention to file a lawsuit against the County’s recently enacted gun ordinance and his request to the County Legislature to preserve all records in anticipation of litigation:
“This announcement comes as no surprise. From the start, I made it clear that this ordinance violated Missouri law. While I strongly disagree with the state’s preemption of local gun regulations—because I believe communities should have the ability to protect themselves—ignoring the law doesn’t lead to progress. It leads to predictable legal challenges and wasted resources, and unfortunately, this ordinance will do more harm to gun safety advocacy than doing nothing at all.
“When leaders pass laws that they know won’t hold up in court, they don’t just waste taxpayer money—they erode the trust people place in government. They create frustration and cynicism, making it harder to build the kind of consensus we need to take meaningful action. Progress on gun safety isn’t achieved through political theater or performative gestures it’s achieved through thoughtful, lawful, and sustained efforts to bring people together around real solutions.
“Jackson County has never shied away from taking on tough fights when it’s the right thing to do—and we’ve won. Our success comes not from performative actions but from standing on the side of the law, acting strategically, and prioritizing the best interests of our residents.
“Our record of success includes:
Challenging the Second Amendment Preservation Act: When the state passed this performative law undermining the rule of law, I partnered with St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones, and the United States Department of Justice to challenge it in court. That law was ultimately found unconstitutional.
Defending Public Health Authority: During the pandemic, we joined with public health officials inside and outside of government to successfully reinstate longstanding, lifesaving laws that help keep our communities safe, despite attempts by the Missouri Attorney General to strip those protections away.
Preserving Fair Reassessments: When the County’s reassessment processes were attacked by the Attorney General and others, we stood firm and successfully defended them against baseless claims.
“We win these fights because we fight smart. We follow the law, not work against it. That’s why I urge the Legislature to reconvene and fix this ordinance before the County is forced to waste taxpayer dollars on a losing effort. Specifically, I encourage them to undo the changes made to the County’s code and instead adopt provisions similar to those implemented by Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City’s code was thoughtfully crafted to avoid violating the state’s preemption laws while addressing gun safety concerns. Adopting similar provisions would protect public safety while creating much-needed uniformity across Jackson County.
“The people of Jackson County deserve leadership that doesn’t just chase headlines but delivers results. That’s why I opposed this ordinance, and it’s why I will continue to focus on practical, enforceable measures that reduce gun violence and make our communities safer. I urge the Legislature and others to join me in crafting policies that meet the moment, respect the law, and reflect the trust our residents have placed in us. Because the fight to protect our communities is too important to waste on shortcuts and symbolism.”
