Gun Reform Legislation

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
March 18, 2011	(573) 751-5912

Gun Reform Legislation 

This week the Missouri House passed gun reform legislation that would help ease restrictions on law abiding citizens but crack-down on those individuals who use guns in addition to illegal drugs.

Currently, it is a crime to have an illegal firearm and a crime to possess illegal drugs.  Often, drug users “plea to a deal” where they admit to the drug crime but have the firearm charge dropped.  This bill makes it a separate crime to carry drugs and a gun at the same time.  It additionally specifies that this separate crime of carrying drugs and guns cannot be suspended for multiple offenses.  Believe it or not, this reform will crack down on lots of offenders whose lawyers are getting their gun charges dropped.   

While our legal system has shown leniency for these illegal gun users, law-abiding citizens have a tougher time.  To receive a conceal to carry permit in Missouri, an individual must be 23 years old.  Missouri is the only state in the Union to require individuals to be 23 to receive the concealed carry permit – most states only require you to be 21.

It is unfortunate that this artificial barrier exists for those who want to legally use firearms to protect themselves.  That’s why our bill also lowers this age to 21 to bring it in line with other states.

At the present time, law-abiding Missouri residents can only buy guns in states that share a border with us -- like Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.  If you go on a hunting trip to Alaska, Colorado, Montana or any state that does not border our own -- and a trigger or firing pin breaks -- you cannot legally buy a new firearm there.

Our bill will change this – Missouri Residents will now be able to buy guns in other states, and our gun shop owners will be able to sell guns to residents from states that do not border our own.

Supporting reforms that protect our law abiding Missourians’ 2nd Amendment rights is extremely important to me.  Law abiding citizens should be able to buy, use, sell and trade firearms.  People that would use guns to buy, use or sell drugs should go to jail. 

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns about state government.  Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912. You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol, Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806 or email me.