St. Louis Public Radio:
Missouri residents who have concealed-carry permits will be able to openly carry their firearms anywhere in the state, as a result of the General Assembly decision to override Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of a broad gun-rights bill.
The bill prevents municipalities from barring people from openly carrying firearms, lowers the minimum age to 19 for concealed carry permits in the state, and allows school districts to arm teachers. Police officers also will be barred from disarming people unless they are under arrest.
The Missouri House voted 117-39 in favor of the override, with little debate, early Thursday morning. The supporting votes included state Rep. Rick Stream, R-Kirkwood, who is running for St. Louis County executive.
Also backing the bill were two House members competing for the hot Senate seat in Jefferson County: Democrat Jeff Roorda and Republican Paul Wieland.
Earlier Wednesday, the Senate had voted 23-8 in favor of the bill. The number of supporters was the minimum needed to override a governor’s veto.
Backers say the law is needed to protect gun rights, and to prevent frivolous arrests of people carrying firearms. Rep. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, recommended that all Missourians be armed. “We live in a world that’s evil, that wants to harm each and every one,” he said.
State Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights, said the bill actually represented “big government” because it would “overrule cities and elected officials around the state” who have passed laws barring the open carry of weapons.
To be precise, Missouri is what’s called an anomalous open carry state, where the state lacks preemption. Thus, while your open carry rights are recognized by the state, you may travel into locations (counties or cities) where law enforcement is not friendly to it, and run into trouble. With the passing of this law, what’s good for one Missouri citizen is good for all Missouri citizens.
Next up on the bucket list? Open carry in South Carolina when we put State Senator Larry Martin in his place.
