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Today's Poll!Mo. GOP gun laws going against national debate
Saturday, January 26, 2013
By JORDAN SHAPIRO
Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — While President Barack Obama seeks greater gun controls, Missouri Republican lawmakers are looking to undo his work at the state level and instead expand run rights.
Guns have been at the forefront of the national debate after deadly mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut. While Obama wants to place more restrictions on ammunition and ban assault rifles, Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature is looking to nullify federal gun control laws and allow more people to carry concealed weapons.
The resistance and skepticism on gun control is part of Missouri’s political culture and highlights how the state now is more conservative on social issues than the nation as a whole, political experts say.
“Missouri will not be too receptive toward any policies that might be viewed as significantly cracking down on individuals’ Second Amendment rights,” said Rick Althaus, a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University.
It was not always this way. In 1999, Missouri voters rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons at age 21. But in 2003, Republicans — having just won control of the Legislature for the first time in decades — teamed up with some rural Democrats to enact a law allowing concealed weapons for people age 23 and older.
“Republicans had a very different philosophy about guns and gun control” than Democrats who had dominated the Legislature for the previous half-century, said David Valentine, a public affairs professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Missouri law currently allows concealed guns to be carried by people age 21 and older who have no felony convictions, are not mentally incompetent and pass a firearms training course and background check.
Measures introduced by Republicans this year would chip away at those restrictions. One bill would allow people age 19 or older to carry a concealed weapon.
State law also prohibits concealed guns from being brought into schools unless approved by the local school board or a school official. But a bill introduced by Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, would allow teachers to carry concealed weapons into school regardless of a local board’s decision. Michigan GOP Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed similar legislation last month that would have allowed concealed weapons in churches, schools and day-care centers.
Other Missouri Republican proposals would go further and criminalize the enforcement of any federal law enacted after Jan. 1 that restricts gun ownership.
One of the sponsors of that measure, Rep. Casey Guernsey, R-Bethany, said he is responding to the president’s attempt to “limit the rights of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.”
Such proposals, while prevalent, may not gain the attention of legislative leaders. The Senate’ top Republican said gun measures aren’t his first priority.
“Certainly there is a lot of discussion about gun ownership and gun violence, and that is happening at the national level,” said President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, of St. Charles. But “the laws we pass at the state level obviously only go to the extent of our borders.”
Some Democrats, primarily from rural parts of the state, also have been skeptical about cracking down on weapons. In 2003, 29 Democrats joined the Republican majority to override Democratic Gov. Bob Holden’s veto of the concealed guns legislation.
Some urban Democrats have sponsored gun control legislation but are not going as far as Obama’s proposals. Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, is sponsoring legislation that would make a crime of negligently storing a firearm and require a parent to disclose to their child’s school if they own a gun. But she’s quick to say her measure isn’t aimed at taking way anyone’s guns.
“I fully believe in the Second Amendment and that everyone should have the right to bear arms,” she said.
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Comments
26VET 3 months, 3 weeks ago
First, the United States is a Country governed by the rule of law it is a shame that the Missouri GOP seems determined to pass legislation that is unconstitutional.
Second, If the Missouri Legislature can't see that there is a problem with gun violence then they need to spend a night in downtown St. Louis or Kansas City and see if they can survive with their concealed weapon. (Good Luck!) Third, The president is not restricting anybodies right to bear arms he is making an attempt to fix the problem nationally which is his job, and the last time I checked nobody who legally owns an assault rifle has stopped gun violence with it yet. (Interesting) Which also means that they don't need or use a mass capacity magazine either. Fourth, Maybe if we thought rationally and not emotionally we could come up with a solution that benefits the country. (Retired military and gun owner for over 33 years.)
John 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Really, tell that to the man stationed on his roof protecting his business from rioters during the Katrina episode. . . . I too have over 30 years in the military and find your statement somehow, rings untrue. He is not making an attempt to fix gun violence, he is trying to plafde the United States in such a situation as to surrender this country without a shot fired.
connor 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Rule of Law eh?
The Missouri State Constitution as Well as THE National Constitution assures the right of firearm ownership with out interference. The only limit in the State Constitution is for concealed carry which isn't a limitation since it allows open carry. The Federal representatives that some voted into office and NOT the ones we voted in around here I might add, are attempting to violate the law. Simply put they do not have the legal authority to make any change to the Constitution. That can only be done by a Convention of the States.
This issue isn't about guns as much as it is about a particular segment of the population that owns guns. We all know where 98% of all gun violence comes from and who is pulling the trigger and those firearms are not legally held and will not be effected by the gun control measures the leftist want to put into place. So why are they targeting the guns that are not part of the problem?
A simple google search brought back four incidents that never made National news within the last month where a civilian model AR15 was used in defense of someone's property and deterred or was thought to have deterred violence. The last case was four days ago in NY city of all places as a matter of fact. Another was a rancher in New Mexico.
You took an oath to protect the Constitution and now you promote throwing it under the bus and allowing elected officials to change that which they have no legal power to change or ignore and bend it as they wish? It takes some powerful emotions to override the rule of law doesn't it?
Two stints in the Military myself. One enlisted and one as an officer and a gun owner since he was given his grand daddies semi-auto .22 at age 10. A gun I still own and as a matter of fact will be banned if Finestien's Bill is passed.
copcamaro 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Just wish all these strong anti gun people would try putting a nice big sign on front of their house (like some business's) No guns allowed!!!!! See how long you would be left alone! As far as GOP re writing the constitution, VET 26, what's the difference with that or the president sub-verting it, per the supreme court saying Fri. he illegally appointed all those people while congress on recess, which was against constitution? Stick by your guns Mo. real American legislatures, we need someone with cahona's speaking for us! Of course I only spent 25 years in military, but legal CCW person.
connor 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Oh and Happy Birthday to the Lee Enfield which was designed in the 1890's and brought into service with the British Empire in 1895. The SMLE pattern with it's 10 round magazine and bayonet lug will be banned if Fienstien's bill is passed as well.
Hey Vetguy? How many killings were attributed to a Lee-Enfield this year? Any? Interesting you don't here about that or the successful defense with an AR in the Lefty media isn't it?
copcamaro 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Right on Conner!
connor 3 months, 3 weeks ago
And the Headline that came out Thursday Evening that the Bushmaster so called "assault weapon" WAS NOT used by the shooter at Newtown. The official coroners report went almost unreported by the leftist media of course or remarked on by outlets such as MSDNC.
spelchek 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Harry Reid and MANY democrats are not dumb enough to give Frankenstein's bill the time of day, why should the GOP? Also, "national debate"? Since when is MO not a part of the "national debate"? Just because criminals and liberals (I repeat myself) want less guns for law abiding citizens doesn't mean the rest of do. This article is disingenuous.
Paroquet 3 months, 3 weeks ago
The Republicans at the state level are a little power heady right now. They'll get over it when they actually have to start dealing with real issues.
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