Missouri lawmakers advance anti-carjacking bill

While Democratic lawmakers called for restrictions on gun use, Republicans in control of the state House and Senate pushed for ramping up penalties for crimes including carjackings.

There's currently no specific carjacking statute under Missouri law. Rep. David Gregory, a suburban St. Louis Republican, said prosecutors now charge suspects with related crimes like robbery or stealing.

Gregory's bill would make carjacking a felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison. The crime would be punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison if the carjacker causes serious injury, is armed with a real or fake weapon, or takes a vehicle with a child in it.

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