Governor vetoes gun law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed legislation Friday that would have made it a crime for federal agents to attempt to enforce federal gun laws in Missouri and could have landed journalists in jail for publishing the names of gun owners in the state.

The Democratic governor said the bill passed by the Republican-led Legislature violated the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, which gives preference to federal laws over conflicting state ones. He said it also infringed on the First Amendment rights of free speech and press.

Some supporters of the legislation had proclaimed it one of the most gun-friendly bills ever passed by a state legislature.

Legislators would need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to override Nixon’s veto when they return to session in September.