JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have failed to override a veto of a bill nullifying some federal gun control laws, after falling a single vote short in the Senate.

Senators voted 22-12 for the veto override Wednesday night, just shy of the required two-thirds majority. The override attempt had passed the House 109-49.

The measure came under heavy fire from law enforcement and journalist organizations, the attorney general and governor. The National Rifle Association maintained a conspicuous public silence about the bill, declining to answer repeated questions from the media about whether it supports or opposes the measure.

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey and Majority Leader Ron Richard split from the rest of the GOP caucus that they lead to instead sustain the veto.

The legislation declared that any federal policies that “infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms” shall be invalid in Missouri. It would allow state misdemeanor charges to be brought against federal authorities who attempt to enforce those laws or against anyone who publishes the identity of a gun owner.

Governor Jay Nixon contends the bill could violate the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause that gives precedence to federal laws over conflicting state ones.