February 26, 2003 Legislative Report
On Tuesday, February 25th, the Missouri Senate's "Pensions and General Laws" committee heard testimony on SCS SB83, Senator John Cauthorn's License-to-Carry reform legislation.
The committee heard testimony on a senate committee substitute that is very similar to the language voted on by a House committee last week [HCS HB349].
The Pensions and General Laws committee did not vote on the bill yet but will "exec" [vote on] it soon.
Testimony in support of the mesure was heard from Greg Jeffery legislative coordinator for Missourians for Personal Safety [MPS] and on the legislative committee for the Gateway Civil Liberties Alliance [GCLA] and part time approved legislative spokesman for Western Missouri Shooters Alliance [WMSA]; Whit O'Daniel from the National Rifle Association; Denny Ballard from the Conservation Federation of Missouri; Kerry Messer with Missouri Family Network; and several others.
The only testimony offered in opposition was from Missouri Impact [a religious group] and a spokesman from St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's office.
The Missouri Highway Patrol was present but offered no testimony in favor of, or opposed to, the pending legislation.
The Senate Committee on "Pensions and General Laws" will vote on SCS SB83 sometime in the next few weeks.
Please take a few moments to contact the committee members and POLITELY encourage them to send SCS SB83 to the senate floor with a vote of "Do Pass".
The Pensions and General Law committee has the following members:
+ Delbert Scott [chair] (573) 751-8793 / (573) 751-2745 fax
+ Chuck Gross [vice chr] (573) 751-8635 / (573) 751-9752 fax
+ Dan Clemens (573) 751-4008 / (573) 751-2745 fax
+ Peter Kinder (573) 751-2455 / (573) 751-2902 fax
+ David Klindt (573) 751-1415 / (573) 751-8342 fax
# Ken Jacob (573) 751-2131 / (573) 751-2745 fax
# Harry Kennedy (573) 751-2126 / (573) 522-2465 fax
# Ed Quick (573) 751-4524 / (573) 751-2745 fax
Senators with a "+" in front of their names have indicated their support for License-to-Carry reform. Contact them and say "Thank You" for their support for License-to-Carry reform and politely encourage their efforts to successfully pass Senator John Cauthorn's SCS SB83 out of committee.
Senators with a "#" in front of their names have indicated their opposition to License-to-Carry reform. DO NOT contact them at this time.
Don't forget to contact Senator Cauthorn's office [(573)751-6858 or (573)751-6900 fax] and say "Thank You" for once again sponsoring License-to-Carry reform in the Senate.
A REMINDER: Whenever you deal with an elected official ALWAYS BE POLITE!... especially if they are not.
ALWAYS be brief and thank them for their time.
HOUSE ACTION
In the House, the sponsor of HCS HB349 Representative Larry Crawford, is working to refine language on a floor substitute for the committee approved language.
Representative Crawford has been approached by law enforcement with some minor concerns about language as passed by the committee. I have been working with him to iron out some of these concerns.
The approach in the House this year has been truly bi-partisan. Representative Crawford has been working closely with last year's sponsor Representative Frank Barnitz on language, content and strategy [hint: one is a Democrat, the other a Republican]. This are both good strong gun guys and deserving of your thanks and support.
The House bill has 83 co-sponsors and may be heard by the full House within the next several weeks. The debate on the floor promises to be full and spirited.
We will do all we can to support Representative Crawford in his efforts to successfully pass HCS HB349 from the House to the Senate.
THE GOVERNOR?
The question remains, what will the governor do? In years past, he has been taken at his word that he will only veto the measure. This claim has never been put to the test. There are many up in Jefferson City who feel that they have taken the heat on this issue long enough and it is time for the governor to have his turn in the hot seat.
The governor's office has stated that if LTC reform is substantially similar to Prop B, he would veto it.
The language of SCS SB83 in the Senate and HCS HB349 in the House are SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT from Prop B.
There are more categories for denial of a permit.
The training is thoroughly defined and extensive and would be one of the most stringent safety training provisions of ANY LTC law in any state.
The list of prohibited places is long.
There are more than ample safeguards and differences that should allow Governor Holden to allow LTC reform to become the law for Missouri.
When LTC reform reaches his desk, what will he do? We will have to wait a little longer and see. But with your continued support and POLITE communications with our elected representatives and senators, we can make putting a good LTC bill on Governor Holden's desk this year.
OVERALL
Missouri now has two bills moving that would revise our state's prohibition on licensing honest citizens to carry concealed firearms outside their homes.
The prospects for passage in the House and the Senate have never been better.
We may have one of these bills approved and over to the other body BEFORE spring break!
We are, as always, cautiously optimistic.
This is our twelveth year. Maybe twelve is our lucky number.
Thanks to all the good folks at WMSA, GCLA and MPS for all they have done throughout the years. Let us stay the course and stay focused.
Stay tuned.......
Greg Jeffery
Legislative Coordinator, Missourians for Personal Safety
Legislative Committee Member, Gateway Civil Liberties Alliance
Designated Speaker/Representative, Western Missouri Shooters Alliance
