Lawsuit asks Missouri lawmakers to rewrite gun amendment summary

New arguments are being raised against a proposed Missouri constitutional amendment that would enhance the right to bear arms.

A legal challenge has claimed the summary approved by the Legislature for the Aug. 5 ballot measure is insufficient and unfair. Last week, an attorney for those challenging the measure asked a Cole County judge to rewrite the summary.

But now, attorney Chuck Hatfield has revised that request to instead ask the judge to send the measure back to the Legislature for a new summary. He contends it would violate the constitution’s separation of powers for a judge to rewrite a legislative measure.

Hatfield is representing a gun-control activist and the St. Louis police chief.

Referring the measure back to lawmakers could knock it off the ballot, because they aren’t in session.

This story was originally published June 24, 2014 at 7:02 AM with the headline "Lawsuit asks Missouri lawmakers to rewrite gun amendment summary."