We are just hours away from making history in the state of Missouri. On September 10th, the Missouri Legislature is scheduled to
begin its override session. One of the vetoes that the legislature seeks
to override is the veto of HB349 -- Missouri´s License-to-Carry law.
During the regular session, HB349 was passed by "veto-proof"
margins in both the House and Senate with bi-partisan support.
On July 3rd, Governor Holden vetoed the bill setting up this
history making day.
Will the veto of HB349 be successfully overridden? As they say... time
will tell. We are close. We will know soon enough.
The final outcome of success or TEMPORARY defeat for the issue may well
come down to the absence of one senator due to military obligations.
But in my opinion, regardless of the outcome of the vote, it will be a
historic day for Missouri´s effort to give the citizens of this
state the same opportunity given the citizens of 35 other states. That
opportunity is the ability to apply with the state for permission to
carry a concealed firearm for personal protection IF qualified.
Let me be clear about that.
HB349 would establish for the first time in Missouri a system where
honest citizens could APPLY for PERMISSION from the state to carry a
concealed firearm for personal protection IF they are QUALIFIED.
HB349 does not give everyone the "right" to carry concealed.
It grants no such "right" to anyone. HB349 would establish a
licensing system with checks and balances that would be one of the most
restrictive of any of the similar laws passed to date by any other state.
If the veto of HB349 is overridden, Missouri will become the 36th state
to enact such a "shall issue" licensing system into law. If the
veto of HB349 is overridden, it will be a GREAT victory for those of us
who have struggled to pass this common sense measure for nearly twelve
years.
But, what if the veto is NOT overridden? Does that mean we have lost?
NO!
We achieved something in 2003 that has not been accomplished here
before... we put a License-to-Carry law on the desk of the Missouri
Governor.
As we are mere hours away from veto override we are poised to make
history again... we will witness the legislature take LTC to an override
session. This has never been done in Missouri before either. Again... we
will be making history whether or not we are successful in overriding the
veto.
No matter the outcome of the vote, supporters of LTC reform for Missouri
will win. How?
The vote to override the veto will separate the wheat from the chaff in
our legislature. After the vote we will know where each and every
Representative´s and Senator´s belief on the issue TRULY
resides. It will give LTC supporters pin-point accuracy for 2004.
If we do NOT get a successful vote to override, we will know WHO was
giving the issue lip service and who truly believes that the citizens of
Missouri should have the opportunity to defend themselves against
violent criminals while outside their homes.
Make no mistake... Missouri WILL pass a License-to-Carry law. If we do
not get it this year during the veto override, we will have a very good
chance to get it in the 2005 session when new representatives and
senators take their seats and hopefully with a governor who is not blind
to the reality that the people of Missouri can be trusted.
Stay the course.
Call the Representatives that voted for HB349 during the session and say:
"Thank You". Ask them to stay the course and see the issue
successfully through veto override. Don´t forget to call the
Senators who voted for HB349 and say thanks to them as well.
You can check out our website(s) for the votes or go to the state website.
www.gclastl.org
www.wmsa.net
www.moccw.org
We shall overcome.
Greg Jeffery
Legislative Chairman
Gateway Civil Liberties Alliance
Legislative Coordinator
