Kearney , Missouri ( CNN ) -- A controversial gun measure wo n't become law in Missouri after a push to override the governor 's veto fell one vote short of approval in the state 's Senate on Wednesday . The measure , HB 436 , would have essentially nullified federal gun laws in the state . Senators voted 22-12 in favor of overriding Gov . Jay Nixon 's veto , but the vote fell just short of the two thirds majority required to pass . Earlier Wednesday , the state 's House of Representatives voted 109-49 in favor of overriding the veto . If it had passed , the law would have technically not only let residents own a machine gun but also arrested federal agents if they tried to take it away . The bill also would have made it illegal for anyone to publish any information about a gun owner . The legislation passed earlier this year in Missouri 's Republican-led House and Senate but vetoed by Nixon , a Democrat . Nixon argued that the legislation violated a provision in the U.S. Constitution called the Supremacy Clause . The Supremacy Clause gives preference to federal laws over state laws . Lawmakers had argued that what they were proposing was not only constitutional but essential to protect the rights of gun owners . `` There are people saying this is the same as seceding from the Union , '' said gun owner Kevin Jamison . `` Missouri did not secede from the Union in 1862 , and it does not do so by passing this law . '' Colorado recall a proxy in national gun control debate . What the bill said . `` This bill does n't put one new gun on the street , '' said State Rep. Doug Funderburk , a Republican . `` It strictly says that Missouri is going to protect the Second Amendment rights of Missourians . '' By superseding federal regulations , House Bill 436 would have made it a criminal offense to enforce background checks or to publish the name and address of a gun owner in the state . It would also have technically allowed citizens to own a machine gun , which is banned under federal regulations , according to the governor 's office . And it would have nullified federal gun laws and allowed citizens to take legal action against officers who try to enforce them . Gun permits for the blind ? Iowa grants them , stirs debate . Opponents worry . Ohio , Minnesota and Texas have pursued similar bills in recent months in reaction to attempts at federal gun control legislation after the December shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown , Connecticut . Opponents worry such laws could all but end any joint operations between local and federal law enforcement agencies when it comes to taking guns off the streets . St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson has been one of its most vocal opponents . `` ( We are ) basically saying to criminals , 'OK criminals , it 's OK to come to Missouri . We wo n't prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law , ' `` he said . CNN 's George Howell reported from Kearney , Missouri ; Leslie Bentz from Washington .
NEW : Missouri Senate 's vote falls one short of the two thirds majority needed . Missouri 's House voted to override the governor 's veto . St. Louis police chief is against the bill . Author of the bill says it protects Second Amendment .