The second week of the 2017 legislative session kicks off with the introduction of important pro-gun legislation in the Missouri Legislature:
House Bill 458, sponsored by state Representative Justin Hill (R-108), specifies that lawful owners of firearms may transport or store the firearms in locked, privately-owned motor vehicles without fear of civil liability, criminal liability or employer retribution. Throughout the country, many employers and business owners have adopted "No Firearms" policies that extend beyond the physical workplace or building to include parking lots – areas often accessible to the general public and not secure. In order to comply with these policies, many law-abiding gun owners must choose between protecting themselves during their commutes and being subject to termination by their employer. The fundamental right to self-defense should not stop simply because you park your car in a publicly accessible parking lot owned by your employer or a business owner.
Please contact your state Senator and state Representative to ask for their support on the above important legislation.
Additionally, numerous bills aimed at restricting your Second Amendment rights have been introduced:
House Bill 185, sponsored by state Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D-78), would require lawful gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within a certain period of time or face harsh penalties, potentially including jail time.
House Bill 241, sponsored by state Representative Doug Beck (D-92), would make it illegal to transfer a firearm to any person on the federal “No Fly” list. This secret government list routinely has names mistakenly placed on it without a clear restoration process for getting your name removed. This type of blacklisting without due process is an affront to the constitutional values we hold as Americans.
House Bill 363, sponsored by state Representative Stacey Newman (D-87), would require that all sales or transfers of firearms be processed through a licensed firearms dealer.
House Bill 364, also sponsored by state Representative Stacey Newman (D-87), would create provisions requiring permits to purchase firearms in the state of Missouri.
House Bill 365, also sponsored by state Representative Stacey Newman (D-87), would establish extreme risk protection orders and gun violence seizure warrants, and prohibit certain persons involved in domestic violence from possessing a firearm. These seizures and Second Amendment rights revocations would occur without due process of law.
House Bill 366, also sponsored by state Representative Stacey Newman (D-87), would add unnecessary extra steps for a person to purchase a firearm in the state of Missouri.
Please contact your state Senator and state Representative to ask them to vote against these bills when they come up in their respective committees.
Also, your NRA-ILA would like to congratulate those state executive officers who accepted their positions to serve the great state of Missouri. Please take a moment to congratulate them and ask for their support for Second Amendment rights in the 2017 legislative year.
Governor Eric Greitens
Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft
Treasurer Eric Schmitt
Attorney General Josh Hawley