We Won!!!

On September 11, 2003, Missouri became the 45th state in the union to adopt conceal-carry provisions.

By a vote of 23 Yay and 10 Nay, the Missouri State Senate heeded the avuncular counsel of the St. Louis CofCC and voted to override Governor Pitchfork’s veto of the conceal-carry legislation passed earlier this year. The Senate override was one day after the House overrode it, making the bill the law of the state.

Your St. Louis Metro Area CofCC had its way; Middle American Empowerment carried the day.

The qualifications to get a permit are slightly more restrictive than the “Proposition B” in 1999. They include, but are not limited to:

* One must apply at the sheriff’s office in the county where one resides. The Proposition B provisions were almost the same, except it would have required residents of St. Louis County to apply at the St. Louis County Police Department.

* One must be at least 23 years old (Prop. B would have set a minimum age of 21)

* One must not be convicted of any felony or of certain serious misdemeanors. The bill passed has several more disqualifying misdemeanors than Prop. B mandated.

* Eight hours of safety training are required (Prop. B would have required 12 hours). Papers proving satisfactory completion thereof are required to apply, so the training must be taken first. The training is only necessary once, before one applies for the permit for the first time.

* There are many more places where carrying a concealed weapon with permit is absolutely prohibited. These include, but are not limited to, gambling boats, major sports arenas, all areas of airports except parking lots, all bars and taverns and other alcohol-primary establishments, all amusement parks and all hospitals. These are in addition to the other absolute prohibitions that Prop. B would have mandated, which are themselves part of the new law.

* The permit cost is $100 for the first year and $50 per year for renewals. The cost of the safety training is not included in the permit fee; it is a seperate expense that applicants must incur. (Prop. B. had the permit cost as $80 for the first year and $35 per year for renewals.)

* The waiting period between the date of formal application for a permit and the authorization to carry concealed is 45 days. That was the waiting period prescribed by Prop. B.

* The law takes effect Monday, October 13, i.e. that is the first day one may apply for a permit.

As with Proposition B, the permit follows the person only, not the weapon, which means one may carry any non-prohibited, legally-obtained concealable firearm. Also like Prop B, the new law is “shall issue,” so one is not subject to the discretion of issuing authorities.

The five remaining states that do not have conceal-carry provisions are Ohio, Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois. If you apply for and receive a Missouri permit, DO NOT CROSS THE RIVER WHILE PACKING!!! Illinois authorities have made it clear that no leniency in this stead will be granted. As for other states that allow conceal-carry, the new law does not mention establishing reciprocity with other states.