Missouri Lawmakers Explore Changes in Concealed Carry Law

By BearingArms.com Staff

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Lawmakers are discussing plans for keeping firearms out of the hands people convicted of domestic violence following the passage of a law that allows Missourians to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

The law, passed in September through a gubernatorial veto override, has raised concerns that law enforcement officers will no longer be able to use the permitting process to ensure guns don’t fall into the wrong hands. The law takes effect Jan. 1, the Columbia Missourian reports.

One effort expected to be made during the upcoming session would focus on making Missouri law mirror a federal law that bars gun ownership for people convicted of domestic violence as well as those subject to a restraining order. Gun law enforcement often is handled at the state level.

“We know there’s very clear research and evidence that, when you introduce firearms into already dangerous domestic violence situations, it can quickly become lethal,” said Colleen Coble, CEO of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, which has been encouraging legislators to replicate the federal law’s language in state statutes for years.

Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, said she voted for the gun legislation, although she said there …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms