On September 11, the Missouri Senate joined the House in voting to override Governor Bob Holden`s veto of HB 349, making the "Show Me State" the nation`s 36th state to pass a fair, non-discretionary Right-to-Carry (RTC) law. The veto of HB 349 was overridden in the House by a vote of 115 to 39. The vote in the Senate was 23 to 10. This marks only the seventh time in Missouri history that legislators have successfully overturned a governor`s veto. Missouri joins Colorado, New Mexico, and Minnesota as the fourth state this year to pass a "shall issue" RTC law.
"The National Rifle Association would like to thank representatives and senators who voted for the override. They recognize the right of law-abiding Missourians to carry a firearm for protection," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "According to research, firearms are used more than 2 million times each year in self-defense, and studies have shown that states that have Right-to-Carry laws experience significantly less crime. Governor Holden`s indifference on the issue of self-defense and the right of Missourians to protect themselves and their loved ones outside of the home was careless. The big winners today are the law-abiding citizens who will reap the benefit of this Right-to-Carry law," added Cox. "The streets of Missouri just became safer for everyone, except criminals."
There was overwhelming bipartisan support in the Missouri legislature for a Right-to-Carry law. On behalf of law-abiding gun owners throughout Missouri, NRA would like to recognize the support and hard work of Rep. Larry Crawford (R-117), Rep. Frank Barnitz (D-150), Sen. Harold Caskey (D-31), and Sen. Peter Kinder (R-27). As always, the grassroots effort and political activism by tens of thousands of NRA members across the state played a pivotal role in this process.
And Missourians can celebrate an additional victory this week as both the Senate and House voted overwhelmingly to override Gov. Holden`s veto of Reckless Lawsuit Preemption (SB 13). NRA-ILA congratulates you on these victories and thanks you for a job well done.
Right To Carry (HB 349)
HB 349 Bill Text
Senate Roll Call
House Roll Call
Reckless Lawsuit Preemption (SB 13)
SB 13 Bill Text
Senate Roll Call
House Roll Call
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