Why is Missouri fighting federal gun rules?

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Missouri is clashing with the Justice Department over a new law banning police from enforcing federal gun rules. The Justice Department this week warned Missouri that the law could strain relationships between federal and local law enforcement.

But Missouri’s Republican governor and attorney general say they’ll still enforce the new law. Federal and Missouri gun laws are almost all the same. Republican state lawmakers say they passed the bill because of concerns about new gun rules under Democratic President Joe Biden.

Other states passed similar legislation. But so far, the Justice Department has only sent a warning letter to Missouri.