The Missouri Chapter Leader, Becky Morgan, says, “Missouri lawmakers buckled to the NRA instead of listening to the vast majority of Missouri voters, including mayors and law enforcement leaders, who support our current concealed carry permit system”.
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Previously, gun owners could carry a concealed weapon in public by passing a criminal background check and completing a gun safety training class in order to get a permit.
The elections law change would require people to show a government-issued photo ID at the polls starting in 2017, if voters also approve a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.
The Republican-led Legislature will convene Wednesday for a short session devoted to veto overrides.
Nixon vetoed more than 20 measures this year, including ones already overridden this spring blocking pay raises for home-care workers and changing the state’s school funding requirements.
The Republican supermajorities meant lawmakers had a good shot of adding to Nixon’s record as the most overridden governor in Missouri history, a distinction made possible by an era of extreme political division in the Capitol.
“I think a lot of the things that we’ve done today will resonate in the election in a very positive way”, House Speaker Todd Richardson said.
Two of the most controversial veto overrides include SB 1631, voter identification, and SB 656, unlicensed carrying of a concealed weapon.
Democrats asserted it could put racial minorities at a greater risk of being fatally shot.
“The targets in our area are black boys, not pheasants”, said Sen. Republican Representative Justin Alferman, the bill’s main sponsor, said in a statement before the vote. That means they won’t have to go through the training now required for permit holders. Jake Hummel a Democrat from St. Louis said the legislature promised citizens a gun training requirement would be an important part of hide and carry. But Missouri’s measure makes it the first new “stand-your-ground” state since 2011.
The measure will expand an existing law which lets homeowners use deadly force against intruders, by giving house guests the same right.
Supporters of the bill said it will help prevent voter fraud.
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Voters without a photo ID can still vote if they sign an affidavit swearing to not having that type of identification. However, election officials can take their picture and steps must be taken to get a photo ID for later use, with the state covering the cost. But to take effect, voters on November 8 must also approve a proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution to allow for such a law.
