ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An impassioned County Chair Shalonda Webb told her fellow St. Louis County Council members that she and many of her constituents are fed up with teenagers openly carrying guns.
"In the district where I live, there have been multiple instances," said Webb.
Webb, a Democrat, introduced Bill 203 during a meeting on Tuesday.
The bill would require a concealed carry license to openly carry a gun in unincorporated St. Louis County. It essentially blocks teens from openly carrying because minors cannot get a concealed carry license.
After more than an hour, the bill passed 4 to 2, carried by council Democrats.
"It's created an environment of intimidation of the community. Members of the community are intimidated and do not want to come out of their doors or sit on their porches," said Webb.
Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock, from Fenton, abstained.
Hancock said he understood the bill but would prefer that the issue go to voters for their consideration.
Republican St. Louis County Councilmen Mark Harder and Ernie Trakas voted against the bill.
During the meeting, Harder got into a tense exchange with an attorney for the County Counselor's office.
"This ordinance is already on the books correct? I just want to make it clear," said Councilman Harder.
Records show so far this year there have been at least a dozen teens shot in St. Louis County.
Police Chief Colonel Kenneth Gregory says the new bill would strengthen police officers' ability to address unlawful open carry.
"With the open carry legislation that's being proposed, if the weapon is flourished at someone, it lets us take action based on what's stated in the law, so it will help us in that sense," said Chief Gregory.
The bill will now head to the St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page's desk.
His spokesman tells 5 On Your Side that Page will "sign it on Wednesday or by Friday and the measure will become law within 15 days."