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"The celebration of freedom on July 4 is darkened this year by
Gov. Bob Holden's veto of legislation strengthening the right to
keep and bear arms -- a fundamental freedom guaranteed by our
Constitution -- that has too long been denied the citizens of
Missouri,'' Senate Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau |
Gov. [One
Term] Bob Holden
(Kelley McCall/AP)
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Holden vetoes House concealed gun measure
By Jim Salter
Associated Press Writer
07/03/2003
WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Bob Holden ignored hisses and
derisive shouts from pro-gun protesters Thursday as he vetoed a
law that would allow Missourians to carry concealed weapons.
Proponents of the bill were confident they had the numbers to
override the veto during a special session in September.
Holden signed the veto in front of about 100 supporters [Ed. How
many of these "supporters" draw their paychecks from a
government?] -- and a dozen or so protesters -- at a park in
this St. Louis suburb. The state's two urban areas played
pivotal roles in defeating 1999's Proposition B, a ballot
measure that would have allowed Missourians to carry concealed
guns. Seventy percent of St. Louis County voters -- and 78
percent of the voters in Webster Groves -- voted against
Proposition B.
The bill "is a misguided legislative proposal that would
overthrow the will of the people and place the lives of
countless Missourians in jeopardy,'' Holden said over catcalls
from protesters. At one point they chanted, "One-term Bob!''
while the governor spoke.
Rep. Larry Crawford, R-California, sponsor of the bill, said
there were plenty of votes to override the veto in the House,
where the measure passed 105-40. And although it will be close
in the Senate, which passed the bill 23-7, he felt the override
would pass there, too.
"We think that hangs on one lawmaker who could switch his
vote,'' Crawford said. "We think we have that vote.'' Crawford
would not identify the potential swing voter.
Holden said the measure includes inadequate training
requirements; no provision for a gun safety refresher course;
and can't ensure the mentally ill won't get weapons. He also
said that under the proposal, people convicted of misdemeanor
domestic abuse would be allowed to carry weapons.
Supporters disagreed, saying the bill is an improvement over
Proposition B and includes new safeguards such as fingerprinting
for criminal background checks. And they say crime has decreased
in states where concealed guns are allowed. [Ed.
This bill is probably more strict and restrictive than in any
"shall issue" state.]
"The celebration of freedom on July 4 is darkened this year by
Gov. Bob Holden's veto of legislation strengthening the right to
keep and bear arms -- a fundamental freedom guaranteed by our
Constitution -- that has too long been denied the citizens of
Missouri,'' Senate Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said.
Crawford said residents feel differently now about the issue
than they did four years ago. He noted that three more states --
Minnesota, New Mexico and Colorado -- adopted concealed weapons
laws this year. Thirty-five states allow concealed weapons, and
a few others allow it in some circumstances, a National Rifle
Association spokeswoman said.
The bill would allow people 23 and older who have taken handgun
training courses to apply to their county sheriffs for concealed
gun permits. The bill also would allow anyone 21 or older to
conceal guns in the passenger compartment of a vehicle without a
permit.
The veto comes just two days after Jonathon Russell walked into
the Jefferson City plant where he worked and began shooting,
killing three people and wounding five others. He later killed
himself.
"He went into a workplace where even the security guard wasn't
armed,'' Crawford said. "He knew that law-abiding citizens
there couldn't be armed, and that gave him the upper hand.
"Right now, Missourians are forced to leave their homes
unprotected, and criminals know that,'' Crawford said.
St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa said citizens have no business
trying to fight crime.
"More guns don't make us more safe,'' Mokwa said during the
veto-signing ceremony. "I can tell you this: Confronting an
armed criminal is not for the general public.'' [Ed.
Can you guarantee one of your cops will confront the sleaze who
comes to my home with evil thoughts?]
Opponents said the law would lead to more bloodshed, not less.
``What we've seen from other places is that it is more likely
that someone will be injured either in anger or by accidental
discharge by having more small weapons available than the
unlikely event that crime will be deterred,'' said Vicky Riback
Wilson, D-Columbia. [Ed. Wonder who
told her that falsehood?]
Concealed guns bill is HB349.
On the Net:
Missouri Legislature: http://www.moga.state.mo.us
AP-CS-07-03-03 1753EDT
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Copyright
© 2003 St. Louis Post-Dispatch L.L.C. All rights reserved.
[N.B. The webmaster is
responsible for the Editorial comments inserted above.]
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