City council refuses to adopt state gun law

The city council on Thursday rejected changing a city law against carrying guns while drunk to comply with state law that allows it.

The 7-6 vote came even after the city attorney said the city law cannot be enforced because city laws on guns cannot be harsher than state law.

The state allows drunken gun carry unless it is fired negligently or not in self defense.

Six council members reluctantly voted for the change to comply but Mayor Sly James and six others refused to adopt what they called a bad law.

James has long complained about the city not having more power over guns, which are by far the most common cause of death in Kansas City’s high number of murders.