Idaho recently became the ninth state to adopt constitutional carry, which gives law-abiding citizens the right to conceal carry their firearms in public without a permit. Missouri seems to be making their intentions known to become the tenth state, as the state legislature recently voted to grant their residents permitless carry. The Missouri House passed the measure overwhelmingly on April 28, it now works its way to the State Senate (via Southeast Missourian):
An overwhelming majority of Missouri House members, including two local lawmakers, approved a measure to allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.Republican state Reps. Donna Lichtenegger and Kathy Swan voted for the bill, which passed Tuesday by a vote of 112-37. The measure goes to the Senate.
The bill would allow Missourians to carry concealed weapons without a permit anywhere they can carry openly.
Missouri already allows open carry of weapons without a permit.
Lichtenegger, who co-sponsored the bill, said criminals already have guns.
“Why make it harder for good guys to have a gun?” she said.
Under current law, Missouri residents, ages 19 or older, may apply for a concealed-carry permit. Members or veterans of the military who are at least 18 years old also may apply for such permits.
Applicants first must complete at least an eight-hour firearms safety course and pay a $100 fee to obtain a permit from their local sheriff’s department.
“Not everyone can afford to take a concealed-carry class,” Lichtenegger said.
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The House-passed legislation also would expand the state’s “castle doctrine” by giving house guests, such as baby sitters, the right to use deadly force to defend themselves against intruders as is allowed for those who reside in the home. Lichtenegger said anyone who has permission to be in the house should have the right to defend themselves in such situations.
The Missourian added that concealed carry holders will still be barred from carrying firearms into police stations, jails, airports, schools, amusement parks, churches, or any establishment that prohibits guns on their premises. There’s nothing controversial about that. Lichtenegger said she wished the bill included a provision that would allow campus carry. Nevertheless, we could be seeing another member inducted into the constitutional carry club. We shall see what happens.
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