Missouri must join the 32 U.S. states
that already allow their citizens to carry concealed weapons,
former Missouri Congressman Harold Volkmer, D-Hannibal, told a
Capitol rally this morning.
"More than one-half of the people of this country can
now apply for and receive a concealed weapon carry permit,"
Volkmer told the more than 200 people gathered in the Rotunda.
"Why, I ask you, whenever everybody else in those states
can carry a weapon to protect themselves and their families,
their property and their businesses and themselves, why can't
we?"
The state House was expected today to debate a bill sponsored
by Rep. Larry Crawford, R-California.
Missouri voters in 1998 rejected a right-to-carry proposal
that went to the statewide ballot after then-Gov. Mel Carnahan
said that was the only way he would sign a concealed-carry
measure.
But, said Cindy Doyle, an Air Force veteran who now sells
real estate in Sedalia: "Proposition B was defeated by only
44,000 votes, with the largest grouping of no votes in the
Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas -- (which) have the
higher per-capita violent crime rates in the state."
Noting the only protection she can carry, legally, is a
cellular telephone, Doyle said: "Current laws in Missouri
force me to be a victim.
"Since the horrific tragedy on Sept. 11, we are reminded
daily of the need for increased homeland security. It has become
crystal clear that our government and peace officers simply
cannot be our guardians, no matter how hard they try."
She said she has "faith in law enforcement, but I am not
naive enough to believe they can be everywhere."
Volkmer quoted Texas law officers saying they were wrong
about that state's adoption of a concealed-carry law.
He also cited a Texas study showing eight killings by people
who had the right to carry a concealed weapon.
"(But) six of those were in self-defense, and they
killed the people that were trying to kill them," Volkmer
said, to applause from the crowd.
The opponents of right-to-carry laws "don't want you to
be able to do that," Volkmer continued. "They would
rather the other guy have the gun. ...
"He's going to shoot and kill you, but they don't want
you to be able to defend yourself."
