Jackson County Executive calls youth gun ordinance a ‘dangerous disservice to the community’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. shared his dissent Monday to an ordinance introduced recently that would restrict firearm possession for 18- to 21-year-olds.

Ordinance 5865, introduced by Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca, was inspired by the young men and juveniles responsible for a shooting at February’s Chiefs Super Bowl rally that killed a woman and injured dozens of others.

White Jr., however, was critical of the ordinance after a legal opinion from the Jackson County Counselor’s Office was shared.

“Jackson County is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents, but we must approach this with integrity and respect for the rule of law,” White Jr. said Monday. “Ordinance 5865, currently pending before the Jackson County Legislature, seeks to restrict firearm possession for individuals aged 18-21. However, Missouri law is clear: this ordinance is illegal and preempted by state law.”

Abarca and White Jr. have sparred frequently on several issues during their time as legislator and county executive, including whether — and how — Jackson County can or should go about keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in the county. White Jr. was critical of Abarca without mentioning him by name in his statement Monday.

“The sponsor of this ordinance was fully aware of its legal shortcomings but chose to proceed,” White Jr. said. “This is a dangerous disservice to the community.”

READ MORE: Jackson County legislator introduces initiative to age-restrict firearm possession

When the ordinance was introduced on July 23, Abarca said the time for action is now, citing the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the rally shooting.

“We cannot sit idly while our communities are torn apart by senseless violence,” he said.

White Jr. cited Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s willingness and history of suing municipalities that attempt to impose gun restrictions that violate state law as another reason for why the ordinance was dangerous to Jackson County residents.

“Passing Ordinance 5865 would not only be illegal and unenforceable,” White Jr. said, “but would also burden Jackson County taxpayers with the costs of defending an indefensible law.”

“Our focus should be on real solutions that genuinely enhance public safety without misleading the public or wasting taxpayer money,” White Jr. continued. “We must reject political stunts that serve no purpose other than to deceive and divide our community.”

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