House Approves Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB 436)

My colleagues and I gave final approval this week to a piece of legislation that not only strengthens the existing gun rights of Missourians, but also rejects all federal acts that infringe on our Second Amendment Rights.

Known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act, the bill says that any past, present or future federal acts, laws or orders that infringe on our right to keep and bear arms will be considered null and void and of no effect here in Missouri.  In fact, the bill makes it the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies of Missouri to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms within the borders of the state. The bill essentially works a shield that we can use to protect Missourians from the overreaching attempts of the federal government to infringe upon our Second Amendment rights.

The bill also makes a number of important changes to our existing state gun laws. One would allow schools to designate certain personnel as "protection officers."  The officers would be allowed to carry concealed weapons as long as they have a valid permit and register with the state Department of Public Safety. The also would require them to complete a training course established by a state peace officer training commission. This is a way of providing our schools with another way to protect children from those who might do them harm.

Other provisions of the bill would lower the age requirement to carry a concealed weapon from the current age of 21 down to 19, and allow concealed weapon permit holds to “open carry” with firearms less than 16 inches in length.

The bill now moves to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.