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Concealed Carry Q&A
By Steve Jones, Outdoor Guide Magazine Conservation & Legislative Affairs Editor
[Originally published in the Late Summer 1998 issue of Outdoor Guide Magazine. For a free copy call 800-706-2444]
Unless you've been in a deep coma for a few
months, you know the campaign to pass a law allowing Missouri
citizens the opportunity to carry concealed weapons is underway.
But most Missouri gun owners have several misconceptions about
what is in the law, how it will work, and what this vote really
means. Volunteers who have manned booths at gun shows report
there is a great deal of misunderstanding about the issue.
Here are a few questions and answers that should clear things up.
Q: Won't this get vetoed by the governor, or amended into
something else by the legislators?
A: No. The legislators have already turned this over to the
people for an up or down vote on Tuesday April 6 1999. The
governor and the legislators have no further say on the matter.
It cannot be vetoed or amended. We, the people, are voting yes or
no on a pretty good CCW bill on April 6 1999.
Q: Will I need to prove the need to carry a weapon?
A: No. We are voting on a "shall issue" law. If it
passes, in order to get the permit, good for 3 years, you need to
do only the following:
- Be at least 21 years old and have a clean record
- Not a drunk, drug addict or mentally ill.
- Complete a handgun safety course of at least 12 hours approved
by the MO Dept. of Public Safety.
- Give your sheriff $80 ($35 for renewal) and a set of
fingerprints
- Wait up to 45 days for background checks.
Q: Won't anti-gun sheriffs just find an excuse not to issue any
permits?
A: No. In order to deny you, the sheriff is required to state
exactly why, in writing. If anyone feels they have been
improperly denied the permit there are clear processes for
appealing the decision in small claims court. You will not need a
lawyer. The sheriff may be forced to pay court costs if the
denial is found by the judge to be "arbitrary and
capricious."
Q: Won't more guns mean more shootings and more accidents?
A: Quite the opposite. Those who say "More guns is not the
answer" don't really understand the question, and then
support gun-control laws that impact only law-abiding citizens.
CCW laws have been conclusively shown to significantly reduce
violent crimes such as murder and rape. Nowhere have CCW laws
been found to increase firearms accidents or crime. Only about
three of every 100 eligible citizens will apply for a permit.
This is sufficient to make criminals avoid crimes where they
might encounter an armed citizen. Less than one tenth of one
percent of those issued a permit ever commit crimes involving
their firearms, nearly all of which involve being discovered
after forgetting they are carrying in a restricted area, usually
in an airport.
Q: Won't permit holders be prohibited from carrying just about
everywhere?
A: The only places where a permit holder may not legally carry
are: church, into any school, into any election precinct on any
election day, or into any building owned or the portion of
building occupied by any government agency. Also, businesses may
legally prohibit CCW by posting such restrictions clearly at all
entrances. Violators of this restriction risk being charged with
the infraction of trespass. In other states that have passed
similar laws, a few businesses have decided to prohibit CCW by
their customers. Nearly all have changed their minds within a few
weeks or months.
Q: Will permit holders be able to carry in bars or restaurants
that serve alcohol?
A: Yes. However, Missouri's existing strong prohibition on
carrying any firearm while under the influence of alcohol remains
in full force. Permit holders would commit a serious crime if
they carry while under the influence. Some states allow CCW in
bars, some do not. Those that do have not experienced the
horrible results predicted by anti-gunners. Across the nation,
the same scenario is repeated over and over: permit holders prove
extremely responsible, safe and law abiding.
Q: Won't there be gun battles in the streets? Won't many
incidents such as routine traffic accidents result in gunplay?
A: No. It didn't happen in any of the other 43 states that have
CCW. There is no reason to believe Missouri is going to be the
first place that CCW laws result in such behavior.
Q: Why worry about it now? The vote isn't until April.
A: The anti-gun forces are working hard on this now. We need to
work harder. It is going to take at least 2 million dollars to
pass this. It will take time.
Q: Won't cities such as St. Louis and Kansas City ban CCW?
A: No. They cannot. Permit holders will be able to carry in every
city and county in the state.
Q: I support it and hope it passes, but don't have the time or
money to help right now.
A: The only answer to that is to quote Edmund Burke: "All
that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do
nothing."
Q: What is MPS?
A: Missouri for Public Safety. It is a grassroots group of
Missouri citizens fighting to pass this law at the polls on April
6 1999.
Q: How can I help?
A: Send email to MOCCW@bigfoot.com, visit the website at
http://www.moccw.org/, or most important of all, send a check to
MPS at PO Box 10170, Columbia, MO 65205.
Q: Can someone from MPS visit with my group?
A: Yes. Conact MPS as listed above, or see the "Speakers
Bureau" link on the home page.
.
For further information,
visit our website at http://www.moccw.org/
or send email to 
.