If you’re a lawful gun owner in Missouri, you can carry your firearm concealed beginning Jan. 1, 2017 — without a permit! That’s right, folks. Missouri’s new “constitutional carry” law took effect at the turn of the New Year, reinstituting one’s 2A right to keep and bear (carry) arms the way our founders intended.
Now, as long as a Missouri resident can pass a background check to purchase a firearm, they can walk out of the store carrying it in their waistband or handbag.
Former Missouri Representative Eric Burlison sponsored the bill and the effort to override the governor’s veto of the law. He told KY3 that it makes sense to let people conceal if they can already carry openly without a permit under existing Missouri law.
“The same right you have to carry on the outside of your jacket or pocket, we want to extend that right to be able to carry on the inside of your jacket or pocket,” Burlison said.
Not everyone was happy about the new law, but it isn’t clear that these individuals understand the entirety of Missouri’s firearm policies. Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams, for example, told KY3 that the new law will permit more felons to carry firearms.
“The most dangerous aspect of this is there are criminals out there and people who have not been convicted of felonies or those people who failed a background check and sheriff did not give them a concealed carry permit, and I guarantee you every one of those folks will go out and get a gun now and be carrying it around,” Chief Williams said.
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Chief Williams doesn’t seem to realize that people who fail a background check cannot own firearms in Missouri in the first place. The law already bans these individuals from owning guns. Banning them from carrying guns they cannot legally own is simply redundant.
There’s also the inconvenient fact that people who carry firearms for nefarious purposes don’t care what the law says anyway.
“There is no possible way you can point to anything in this bill and show me it is going to allow bad guy to have guns or carry guns,” Kevin Jamieson, an outspoken proponent of the law, told Fox News. “This is an advantage to people who suddenly pick up a stalker or some dangerous situation, they can carry something for personal protection until they take the class.”
While it is no longer necessary to obtain a permit to carry concealed, Missourians will still be able to obtain a permit if they desire. The permit will allow them to carry their firearms in states that maintain permit reciprocity with Missouri but do not have constitutional carry.
“Missouri’s new “constitutional carry” law…”
When you “pass a law” to give “constitutional carry” you are NOT giving constitutional carry, but “legal” carry. To provide for one’s “constitutional right” to carry, the legislature should simple remove any unconstitutional restrictions to the right already granted by the 2nd Amendment.
Be careful what you ask for. Stop asking our elected public servants to give us permission to do things that are already inalienable rights endowed upon us by our Creator.
When a police chief doesn’t even understand the basics of a background check as it relates to felons, I am very dubious that he would understand a lot of other things either. What a dope.
My thoughts exactly. How is it that when a cop becomes a chief (politician), he becomes a brain donor?
not living too far from springfield I can tell you that it is controlled by the same type of libtards that control many other bigger cities. that means the chief says what the his master wants and despises the human right to self defense like his master.
the place has skyrocketing crime and theres scammers at every intersection. it will be st louis in 5 years and Detroit in a decade.
Criminals do not apply for concealed weapons permits, they just carry!
Nick Newman, you are a moron. The right to keep and bear arms is just that, a right. It is not a privilege like driving a car. One does not need a license to exercise a right. The real reason you are upset about this is that you are going to lose business in your CCW class. In other words, go fuck yourself.
just what i was thinking, he is just going to lose money. some charge up to $100 or more for these classes and that’s the only reason he’s not for it. hard to think he picked the DL as a means to get his point across. DL are not a right. what an idiot.
Amen to constitutional carry all over the USA. No State should be able to side step the constitution and not be punished fiscally where it hurts them most. No federal tax dollars for anything until they follow the constitution, Period! Now with that said and we all know and have seen that there are almost brand dead people with guns and have no earthy idea of how to handle them much less handle them safety! So how about a mandatory gun safety class for pistols and rifles and a card that’s carried with you like your drivers licences or a stamp on your driver licensee showing you’ve passed the class and you can carry any where across the USA and others know your safe to be around, or at least somewhat safe to be around! I use to teach hunter safety and I can tell you I had to flunk many a person because of not having the common sense to pour water much less handle a firearm. I’ve quit going to gun ranges for the pure dolts who by some miraculous reason haven’t shot themselves or someone else by the way they handle a firearm! When those shots ring through the roof over your head it’s time to leave!
Absolutely!!
I’m sure everyone on here has seen “those people ”
A firearm safety and knowledge course to purchase firearms should be mandatory (unless active military/police) . 19 year old “kids” buying a gun for the first time then sticking it down their pants is just asking for a problem.
So you consider the 2nd Amendment a privilege and not a right, because a right needs no license or training. It would be a good idea for firearms users to educate themselves, but to require it is one of those pesky infringements.
witherbone you are 100% correct!!!
California will fight constitutional carry or even 50 state reciprocity laws. Frankly, if the NRA was sincere, they would be fighting to have the entirety of the NFA repealed. There is no reason for it any longer and I defy anyone here or anywhere else to defend it. I would happily defend my position with reasoned argumentation.
Every state should go back to constitutional carry, the people that benefit from the laws now are the dishonest.The honest people want to do things the right way, therefore it costs us, and it takes us months to get (CCW). I just want to be able to protect my family !!!
The licensing process is a revenue stream for the state. It has nothing to do with the individuals rights or the constitution. Just another way for the progressive liberals to redistribute the wealth, one dollar at a time, death by a 1000 cuts.
Missouri also rejects the REAL ID ACT
seriously looking to head that way
Oklahoma also has a delay on the REAL ID ACT but as with other states Missouri too they will have to get on board with it as the FEDS are going to force them to. it’s a shame that lawful people have to go along with this but people in the country illegally can’t be made to have a card showing they are legally allowed to vote. REAL ID ACT is just un-American.