Missouri: Governor Signs Two NRA-Backed Bills into Law Today

Today, with the deadline for his signature on legislation fast approaching, Governor Jay Nixon (D) stood with gun owners as he signed into law two bills to preserve and expand recognition of Second Amendment rights in Missouri.  The improvements made in Senate Bill 480 and NRA-backed House Bill 1647 will take effect on August 28 of this year, while NRA-backed Senate Bill 489 went into effect immediately upon the Governor's signature.  Thank you to Missouri NRA members for making your voices heard in the final days and hours of the 2012 legislative session.  Your dedication to contacting your state elected officials helped ensure passage these important NRA-backed bills this session.  The following bills, delivered to the Governor by the General Assembly leadership on May 30, will now become law in Missouri:

House Bill 1647, championed by state Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-20) and state Senator Mike Kehoe (R-6), contains several self-defense improvements important to Missouri’s gun owners.  HB 1647 lowers the Right-to-Carry age requirement from 21 to 18 years old for active duty military (who are residents of or stationed in Missouri), removes penalties for an accidental exposure of a firearm by a concealed carry endorsement holder and establishes a process for restoration of firearm rights for those currently prohibited.

Senate Bill 489, authored by state Senators Brian Munzlinger (R-18) and Dan Brown (R-16) and state Representative Ward Franz (R-151), would protect all Missouri Right-to-Carry endorsements by honoring all live-fire training exercises completed as part of a concealed carry course prior to the requirement changes made last year.  Since SB 489 includes an emergency clause, it took immediate effect upon the Governor’s approval.

In addition, Senate Bill 480 is the omnibus transportation bill that also establishes a special National Rifle Association license plate, as amended by state Representative Eric Burlison (R-136) and supported by its author, state Senator Bill Stouffer (R-21).  Purchase of Missouri NRA license plates will help fund important pro-Second Amendment activities in the Show-Me State.