Missouri’s passage of SB 656 is the fourth passage of a “constitutional carry” law just this year, with Idaho, Mississippi, and West Virginia preceding the “Show Me” state, showing that support for gun rights is rapidly expanding, even as anti-gun Democrats risk electoral suicide by running against the will of the voters.
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Under previous state law, citizens had to complete a form and a one-day gun safety training program to qualify for concealed carry, and local law enforcement had the right to deny a permit to an applicant it found to be too risky.
Governor Nixon also suffered a defeat when lawmakers overrode his veto of a bill requiring a government issued photo ID in order to cast a vote in the state.
Lawmakers overrode 13 vetoes in all on Thursday. Republicans hold supermajorities, so they can override the Democratic governor if they stick together. After getting through the state senate on Wednesday night, the override moves on to the house where it is expected to succeed.
The veto override attempt on the gun legislation must start in the Senate.
Nixon, who is in his final year in office, already was by far the most overridden governor in Missouri history.
Missouri lawmakers are to consider Wednesday whether to override Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of the high-profile legislation.
House Democrats argued the measures in the bill wouldn’t address absentee ballots fraud, but rather voter impersonation fraud.
The largest cost associated with the new tax breaks comes from a measure allowing cattle ranchers and other agricultural producers to deduct federal disaster aid payments from their state income taxes.
The bill “flouts this system, allowing individuals with no training, no proven handgun capability, and no background check to carry concealed”, Mr. Nixon wrote in a letter explaining his action. That is necessary because the Missouri Supreme Court ruled 10 years ago that such a law violated the existing state constitution. However it will not change the voting procedures for the upcoming Presidential election as the bill is not set to take effect until 2017.
These two bills, dealing with voter ID and gun rights have garnered both statewide and national attention.
Gov. Jay Nixon is making more budget cuts after Missouri lawmakers overrode his vetoes on several bills creating new tax breaks.
The legislation will allow most people to carry concealed guns without needing a permit.
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It also includes a “stand your ground” provision, which lets people use deadly force in self-defense, without retreating. The bill makes Missouri the first new Stand Your Ground state since Trayvon Martin’s death. The new Missouri law also provides greater protections for people who feel threatened and use deadly force in both private and public areas. Bill sponsor Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18) pointed out SB 656 would “allow law abiding citizens to protect themselves from criminals”.
