ST. LOUIS – The city of St. Louis could take a big step Thursday by moving to completely ban the open carrying of firearms in the city.
Board Bill 107 is up for perfection this Thursday, meaning it will be debated and prepared for a potential final vote soon. The full board meeting started at City Hall at 10 a.m. The bill is the latest move by the St. Louis Board of Alderman to try and regulate the carrying of guns in the city.
Concerns about the open carrying of guns in the city came to the forefront after multiple people were shown in videos walking around downtown with their guns out in plain sight this past summer.
Alderman Rasheen Aldridge is the one who is sponsoring the controversial bill. Board President Megan Green is co-sponsoring it. The legislation would prohibit the open carrying of firearms in the city of St. Louis except for law officers and those required to openly carry a gun as part of their official duty.
The bill would not apply to those who are carrying a gun in a concealed manner and out of public view. Those 18 and older who violate this new legislation could face a $500 fine and/or jail time of up to 30 days. Minors who violate the ordinance could face fines of $100 or be required to perform community service.
This bill goes a step further than the one that Mayor Tishaura Jones signed this past summer and that the board approved. That legislation allows people to openly carry guns in the city if they have a concealed carry permit.
The Board of Alderman is meeting Thursday instead of its regular day on Friday because of Veterans Day.
