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Missouri Legislature Overrides Governor Nixon’s Veto of Senate Bill 656, Pro-Gun Self-Defense LegislationToday, Governor Nixon’s veto of pro-gun self-defense legislation, Senate Bill 656, was overridden by the Missouri General Assembly. With this historic override, Senate Bill 656 will go into law allowing Missourians to carry a firearm for self-defense without a permit beginning on January 1, 2017, in addition to other important self-defense measures. Sponsored by state Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18) and state Representative Eric Burlison, (R-133) SB 656 would:
Thank you to the NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their legislators in support of Senate Bill 656 during the regular and override session. Special thanks to those legislators who continuously voted in support of Senate Bill 656 to protect Missourians’ right to defend themselves and their families. |
For an veiw of what the bill is, here is the link to the .gov site.
This is a short summary of the bill, touching on the high points. NOTE: THESE ARE NOT WORD FOR WORD, WE URGE YOU TO READ THE ENTIRE BILL.
OPEN CARRY ORDINANCES – 21.750
This act provides that the open carrying of a firearm may not be prohibited by a political subdivision for any person with a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit in his or her possession who presents such endorsement or permit upon the demand of a law enforcement officer. In addition, no person carrying a concealed or unconcealed handgun may be disarmed or physically restrained by a law enforcement officer unless under arrest or if there is no reasonable and articulable suspicion of criminal activity. Any person who violates these provisions may be issued a citation for up to $35. No ordinance of a political subdivision may be construed to preclude the use of a firearm to defend property or persons…
SCHOOL PROTECTION OFFICERS – 160.665, 571.107, 590.010 to 590.207
This act allows a school district to designate one or more school teachers or administrators as a school protection officer. School protection officers are authorized to carry a concealed firearm or self-defense spray device.
This act requires a school board that is seeking to designate a school protection officer to hold a public hearing on the matter. Notice of the hearing must be provided by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or county in which the school district is located at least 15 days before the hearing. The board may meet in a closed meeting to determine whether to allow the school protection officer to carry a concealed firearm or self-defense spray device.
The officer must keep the firearm or device under his or her personal control at all times while on school property. Violation of this provision is a Class B misdemeanor and may result in the immediate removal of the officer from the classroom and the commencement of employment termination proceedings.
School protection officers have the same power to detain and arrest as any other person would have under current law regarding defense of persons and property. Upon detention, the protection officer must immediately notify school administrators and school resource officers. If the person detained is a student, then the parents of the student must also be immediately notified.
Those seeking to be designated as school protection officers must make a request in writing to the superintendent of the school district along with proof of ownership of a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit, if the person is seeking to carry a firearm, and a certificate of completion of a school protection officer training program…..
CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS – 571.030, 571.101, 571.111, & 571.117
This act repeals an obsolete provision of current law that directs concealed carry permit applicants to take the permit they receive from the sheriff to the Department of Revenue for the issuance of an endorsement.
Current law requires an applicant for a concealed carry permit to perform a physical demonstration of his or her ability to safely load a revolver and a semiautomatic pistol, a live firing exercise with both types of firearms, and a live firing test with both firearms. This act provides that the applicant only needs to demonstrate an ability to safely load, and only requires live firing from, either a revolver or a semiautomatic pistol….
DISARMING A POLICE OFFICER – 575.153
The act modifies the crime of disarming a peace officer by adding language which provides that a person commits such crime by intentionally removing a less-lethal weapon from a peace officer including blunt impact, chemical or conducted energy devices used in the performance of the officer’s duties or if the person intentionally deprives the peace officer of such equipment while the officer is acting within the scope of his or her duties.
Missouri on Wednesday joined a growing list of states allowing most adults to carry concealed weapons without a permit, as the state’s Republican-led Legislature used its supermajority to loosen existing gun laws.
The measure, described by supporters as “constitutional carry,” allows people to carry hidden guns anywhere they can currently carry weapons openly, effective January 1. Missouri will join 10 other states with laws that allow most people to carry concealed guns even if they haven’t gone through the training required for permits, according to the National Rifle Association, which supported the legislation.
The legislation also would create a “stand-your-ground” right, meaning people don’t have a duty to retreat from danger any place they are legally entitled to be present. The NRA says 30 states have laws or court precedents stating people have no duty to retreat from a threat anywhere they are lawfully present. But Missouri’s measure makes it the first new “stand-your-ground” state since 2011.
It also expands the “castle doctrine” by allowing invited guests such as baby sitters to use deadly force if confronted in homes.
The guns legislation prompted some of the most intense debate Wednesday. Democrats asserted it could put racial minorities at a greater risk of being fatally shot.