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by JORDAN SHAPIRO Associated Press

KMOV.com

Posted on April 19, 2014 at 11:31 AM

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Republicans are considering a new approach to prevent federal agents from enforcing laws the state considers to be infringements on gun rightsbarring them from future careers in state law enforcement agencies.

The change marks the most recent version of Missouris attempt to nullify some federal gun control laws. It was endorsed by a state Senate committee this past week and is likely to reach the chamber floor.

The employment ban is seen as a compromise designed to make the bill more palatable, while also making federal agents think twice before carrying out laws and policies that the measures supporters consider unconstitutional.

Republicans have been divided on how to punish potential violators of the legislation dubbed the Second Amendment Preservation Act. The spectrum has ranged from possible jail time to allowing civil damages stemming from lawsuits filed by Missourians who think an agent infringed on their gun rights.

The version endorsed by the Senate General Laws Committee would leave the civil penalties on the table in addition to the employment ban.

What we hope it accomplishes is for there to be a healthy degree of pause before anybody takes an action that could be unconstitutional, said Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, and the Senate bill sponsor.

Under the measure, federal employees who enforce or aid in a potential enforcement of certain gun-control laws would be disqualified from any state and local law enforcement jobs in the future. Missourians could also sue if they think a law enforcement officer was employed after being involved in the implementation of a federal gun law. If the lawsuit is successful, the agent would be fired and the state or municipality would be required to pay the residents court costs.

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Missouri Republicans outline new gun proposal