 |
|
Greg Jeffrey's read on the veto by One Term Bob |
3 July 2003 For Distribution Tomorrow is the 4th of July, a holiday where our nation celebrates its decision to become an independent nation. On this day 227 years ago, the citizens of the thirteen colonies determined that the only way for them to be able to enjoy freedom was to remove the irrational tyranny of the King of England. So perhaps it is fitting that on the eve of this great holiday commemorating the patriotic spirit of independence and self determination that Governor Bob Holden chooses to veto HB349, Missouri's current version of License to Carry [LTC] which was passed by the Missouri House and Senate earlier this year. The Governor has scheduled a press conference for later on today where he will treat the media to an orgy of anti-LTC misinformation and rhetoric about HB349. But no matter he says there are certain facts that need to be repeated about LTC. Missouri has debated LTC for twelve years. During those twelve years, nineteen states have passed LTC laws. [HB349, as put on his desk, if signed into law, would be one of the most restrictive LTC laws passed in this nation.] There are now thirty-four states that have LTC laws on the books with over 2.5 million average honest Americans licensed under these various laws to carry concealed firearms into a multitude of places; most including ball parks, shopping malls, restaurants and many more places without having any problems. None of the predictions of opponents as to the effects of passage of an LTC law have been found to be true. NONE. In fact, their predictions have repeatedly and annually been proven to be false and unfounded. Not one state has moved to repeal their LTC law once the law has been passed and put into effect. Citizens licensed under these various LTC laws have been able to not only protect themselves, but in some instances come to the aid of others including law enforcement personnel. But do not bother to tell Governor Holden any of these facts while he is busy pandering to a small minority of voters. Their votes are more important to him the the well-being and lives of numerous average honest Missourians. Do not bother to tell Governor Holden that the recent deaths of three individuals in our state's capitol might have been prevented IF Missouri already had HB349 as our law. The tragedy where three honest Missourians lost their lives because they obeyed the law while their murderer violated numerous existing laws once more points out that our current law only assures that our honest citizens will be easy unarmed targets for the violent predatory criminals already on our streets. In thirty-four other states, one of the victims might have been legally armed and able to stop the attack. But not in Governor Holden's Missouri. In thirty-four other states, a rape victim who testified against her rapist would be able to get a license to carry and have a chance to protect herself when she found out her attacker escaped from jail and could be looking to get even. But not in Governor Holden's Missouri. In his Missouri the escaped rapist has nothing to fear. In thirty-four other states, a victim of a brutal violent assault by an ex-boyfriend, where he threatened to kill her in front of law-enforcement, she would be able to get a license to carry and have a chance to protect her and her children should he try once more to kill her. But not in Governor Holden's Missouri, In his Missouri, her attacker can still feel confident that she will be unarmed and defenseless should he get the chance to try to carry out his promise to kill her. In thirty-four other states, the common Joe honest citizen has the option to apply for permission of their state to get a license to carry a gun under their coat because they may happen to work or live in an area where it is simply unsafe. But not in Governor Holden's Missouri. In Governor Holden's Missouri, ONLY the criminals will be allowed to carry concealed weapons... because they are doing so now. There is one other fact that Governor Holden should be made aware of... this issue WILL NOT GO AWAY. We will be back until we finally achieve what all honest Missourians deserve, the ability to seek permission of the state for a license [if qualified] to carry a firearm for self-defense while outside the home. What do we do now? Press for an override of the veto. An override may not occur or be successful for many reasons but we need to try anyway. We need to prepare for next year. Yes, perhaps Governor Holden's "event" to veto HB349 on the eve of the nation's independence day is fitting. With his veto, he will have proven his disdain and distrust of common honest Missourians. And we will know that we will not get the ability to defend our loved ones or ourselves until we remove our own irrational tyrant, Governor Holden. Greg Jeffery |