In the waning hours of Missouri's state legislative session, lawmakers took up two very important gun bills instead of paying attention to things like jobs, job creation, the economy, and more.
The first bill allows gun owners to carry their weapons concealed without a permit. I'm fairly certain that will result in many more church and bar shootings, as well as interesting family gatherings.
The second prong of their legislation expands the Stand Your Ground law, similar to the one in Florida, but with a broader implication. Under the law as passed today, people do not have to suspect they are endangered to "stand their ground."
Expect teenagers who come home late to feel their parents' wrath in a whole new way.
Via CBS News:
Senators’ first priority was the wide-ranging gun legislation. It would let most people carry concealed guns, even if they haven’t gone through the training now required to get a permit. It would also expand the state’s “castle doctrine” by allowing invited guests such as babysitters to use deadly force against intruders. And it would create a “stand-your-ground” right, meaning people would have no duty to retreat from danger in any place they are legally entitled to be present.
The bill passed the Republican-led Senate on a 24-8 party-line vote, with Democrats in opposition.
“We’re essentially authorizing a citizen without training to have a firearm, and then another citizen who is afraid that that citizen has a firearm to shoot and kill them,” said Sen. Jason Holsman, a Democrat from Kansas City.
Yes, I'm sure the NRA doesn't have a care about that. Expect reports of fearful toddlers shooting their parents to rise.
Meanwhile, ethics legislation seems to be taking a slow walk toward the adjournment hour. I wonder why?
