Dear Ms. Man:

 

Once upon a time, the press expected law enforcement officials, those charged with enforcing the law, to also obey the law.  And, in the not so distant past, reporters covering officials, both political and law enforcement, actually did a bit of investigating on their own rather than simply parroting the words of those officials.  I guess I'm getting old because the decline of those standards is becoming all too evident to me.

 

You quote Deputy Moran as saying authoritatively that a court ruling to the effect that having an instructor's certificate is sufficient applies only to those instructors who actually sought the ruling.  Where in our nation's history has it been a principle of law that the law applies only to those who go to court?  If an instructor's certificate is sufficient for Gary Davis under the law, how does Marvin Moore, with the same qualifications, differ?  The law applies to all equally, does it not?

 

As for the law itself, rather than taking sheriff's official (is he a deputy or just a clerk?) word for it, why not read it for yourself?  You can find it at http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/c571.htm by just clicking on the link to 571.111 Firearms Training Instructor and reading it for yourself. You'll see that it says:

 

"571.111. 1. An applicant for a concealed carry endorsement shall demonstrate knowledge of firearms safety training. This requirement shall be fully satisfied if the applicant for a concealed carry endorsement:

 

(1) Submits a photocopy of a certificate of firearms safety training course completion, as defined in subsection 2 of this section, signed by a qualified firearms safety instructor as defined in subsection 5 of this section; or

 

(2) Submits a photocopy of a certificate that shows the applicant completed a firearms safety course given by or under the supervision of any state, county, municipal, or federal law enforcement agency; or

 

(3) Is a qualified firearms safety instructor as defined in subsection 5 of this section. ....   "

 

Notice the word "or" between each paragraph.  That means that the applicant must meet any single one of the requirements, not all three.

That clear language demonstrates very clearly that "sheriff's official" Moran is lying.  Plain and simple.  Why don't you and your paper call him on it by printing the truth instead of allowing his lies to go unchallenged?  Perhaps you're unfamiliar with what subsection 5 of 571.111 considers a qualified instructor. Let us scroll just a bit down that same page and we can read it for ourselves:

 

<>" 5. A firearms safety instructor shall be considered to be a qualified firearms safety instructor by any sheriff issuing a

certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 if the instructor:

 

(1) Is a valid firearms safety instructor certified by the National Rifle Association holding a rating as a personal protection instructor or pistol marksmanship instructor; or

 

(2) Submits a photocopy of a certificate from a firearms safety instructor's course offered by a local, state, or federal governmental agency; or

 

(3) Submits a photocopy of a certificate from a firearms safety instructor course approved by the department of public safety; or

 

(4) Has successfully completed a firearms safety instructor course given by or under the supervision of any state, county, municipal, or federal law enforcement agency; or

 

(5) Is a certified police officer firearms safety instructor.  ..."

 

Obviously, Mr. Moore qualifies under paragraph (1) of this subsection. So, where is there any ground for believing that sheriff's official Moran's denial is anything but unreasonable and a clear, indisputable violation of the clear language of the law?

 

Law enforcement should also obey as well as enforce the law.  And the press should hold law enforcement accountable when the law is disobeyed.  You owe it to your readership to point out the lawbreaking of the Jackson county sheriff's office.  As a responsible journalist it, you not only owe it to your readership, it is your duty.

 

Sincerely,

 

--

-- Chris Meissen

   NRA Certified Basic Pistol Marksmanship Instructor #38715215

   West Plains, Howell county, MO