St. Louis, MO – A Missouri judge has struck down a St. Louis ordinance that tried to force gun owners to lock up firearms left in vehicles, dealing a sharp blow to local gun control efforts and delivering a clear win for Second Amendment supporters across the state.
On July 15, Circuit Judge Joseph P. Whyte ruled that the city’s 2017 “unattended vehicle” gun storage law violated Missouri’s state firearm preemption law—a law that reserves all authority to regulate firearms to the state legislature, not local governments.
The now-overturned ordinance required any gun left in a parked car to be locked in a secure, hidden container. Failure to comply came with up to $500 in fines and even jail time. But the court made it clear: city officials can’t make up their own rules when it comes to firearms.
Origin of the Lawsuit
The legal challenge was brought by St. Louis resident Michael Roth, whose 9mm pistol was stolen from his vehicle while he attended Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. When he reported the theft—doing the right thing—police turned around and cited him under the ordinance for not locking his firearm in a container.
That charge became the turning point. Roth and his attorney, Matt Vianello, argued that the ordinance not only conflicted with Missouri law but also forced law-abiding gun owners to incriminate themselves when reporting a crime.
Judge Whyte agreed. His ruling firmly backed Missouri’s firearm preemption statute, which explicitly bars cities and counties from regulating “the possession, transfer or storage” of firearms. The judge left no wiggle room for St. Louis: the city doesn’t get to play legislature.
A Common-Sense State Law, Undermined by City Politics
Missouri’s preemption law exists for a reason—to keep the rules consistent statewide. Without it, crossing a city limit could turn a lawful gun owner into a criminal overnight.
Pro-gun advocates say this case proves exactly why preemption matters. “You shouldn’t need a legal team just to transport your firearm from one part of town to another,” said one local supporter. “The law should be the same whether you’re in St. Louis or Springfield.”
Even Attorney General Andrew Bailey weighed in, blasting the ordinance as an unconstitutional infringement. He echoed what many gun owners believe: the Second Amendment isn’t negotiable.
What’s Next?
The city’s requirement to report stolen firearms within 48 hours remains intact, but without the now-defunct vehicle storage law, legal experts say the self-incrimination argument no longer applies.
While it’s unclear whether St. Louis will appeal, observers say the city is fighting an uphill battle. Past efforts to sidestep the state’s gun laws—like a similar ordinance in Jackson County—have already sparked more lawsuits, most of which are expected to fail.
Bigger Picture: Gun-Free Zones & Common Sense
While city officials claim the ordinance was about preventing gun thefts, critics argue it’s the city’s own policies—like gun-free zones—that force people to leave their firearms in cars to begin with. Places like courthouses, hospitals, and public transit systems still ban carry, leaving gun owners with few options.
“If you want to stop people from leaving guns in cars, let them carry,” said one Missouri resident. “The solution isn’t more restrictions. It’s fewer ‘gun-free’ traps that disarm law-abiding citizens.”
Bottom Line
This ruling sends a clear message: local politicians can’t ignore state law to push anti-gun agendas. Judge Whyte’s decision upholds the rule of law, protects law-abiding gun owners, and reinforces that the Second Amendment doesn’t stop at the city line.
For now, St. Louis—and any other city tempted to test Missouri’s gun laws—has been put on notice.
‘Gun-Free Zones’ Responsible For Increased Gun Thefts From Cars
