Missouri lawmakers are advancing a crime bill that will give authorities new weapons against violent crime.
It will enact harsher penalties on those who sell guns to minors without parental consent, strengthen witness protection programs, and allow judges to decide whether children from 12-18 should be tried as adults.
Governor Parson says the bill has in mind children being tried for violent crimes. Racial justice advocates and Black lawmakers have criticized both the governor and the bill for not also focusing on Police accountability measures.
