Gun Rights Advocates Celebrate BIG WIN in Missouri

Missouri Gun Owners Rejoicing Over Constitutional Carry

by Brittni Kates

Wednesday, September 14 is the day Missouri gun owners and activists put their middle finger up to Governor Jay Nixon. It has been a long battle. In late spring, the bill passed though Congress and was vetoed by Governor Nixon. But Missouri Republicans promised the state they will override it. Even though a lot of people thought it wouldn’t push through the veto override, they were victorious.

It was a long battle and the floor debate went all the way into the late evening. The ignorance of Missouri Democrats was truly amusing. For example, Senator Kiki Curls claimed the “stand your ground” provisions of the bill would allow people the license to kill. That is completely incorrect, Senator Curls: it actually does the opposite.

Additionally, anti-gun legislators in St. Louis whined for more gun control regulations during the House debate. Please remember, St Louis is the one of the cities with the highest murder rate, as well as the most gun restrictions within the state. I like to bring up my hometown of Neosho, Missouri in the lower southwest corner. It’s a small, conservative, polite community located on the Bible Belt with nowhere near the amount of gun restrictions as St. Louis. I would say a large percentage of the homes own at least one firearm. I wasn’t alive the last time someone was murdered with a firearm. Conversely, in St. Louis, I wouldn’t know the last time someone was murdered with a firearm, but it is far more common. My hometown is a perfect example of an armed community being a polite community.

What are the changes coming with constitutional carry?

Many people don’t quite know what changes are going to be included. Some claim gun-free zones will be phased out. No, they won’t. Unfortunately, many people still won’t be able to carry into their work. Teachers will still not be able to properly protect their students in a hostile situation. And if you’re at your local grocery store and an emergency happens, you’ll still have to hope the police arrive in a timely manner. Hopefully, this can be our next battle. I will start that fight myself if I need to.

To give you a basic rundown, if you can pass the background check to buy your firearm, you can carry. No longer will we have to go through a training course that will teach you nothing new if you already know the basic key safety rules of firearms. No longer will we have to pay a tax to our county (anywhere from $100-$200 depending on your county). As long as you are not prohibited from owning, you can carry.

Some might ask whether or not Missouri will do away with the permits. No, they won’t. But I must correct the reasons people have been claiming. Some say that if you have a permit, you will be allowed to carry in places that are gun-free zones. The real reason is because of individuals who travel. Say for example, you’re a Missouri resident and you have to go to somewhere that doesn’t have constitutional carry, like Louisiana for example. Louisiana recognizes a Missouri CCW. They won’t, however, recognize Missouri constitutional carry.

Michael Bloomberg FAILED to restrict Missourians’s 2A rights tonight!! This is the #SHOWME state!! #MOleg #SB656

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) September 15, 2016

In conclusion, it was a glorious victory for the Missouri gun activists, like myself. It’s just a countdown now. January 1, 2017 marks the day this law will begin to take place, which is great because I have a birthday coming before then and I’m crossing my fingers for a brand new concealed carry purse.