Gun advocates and law enforcement say SB 656 has its drawbacks

Missouri lawmakers overturned 13 of Governor Nixon’s vetoes in Wednesday night’s veto session, including Senate Bill 656.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, will expand the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law and will allow Missouri residents to legally carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

“Missourians have a fundamental right to self-defense,” Munzlinger said in a statement Thursday. “States like Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming have seen their murder rates drop by as much as 23 percent after adopting constitutional carry. Vermont is virtually surrounded by higher-crime states like New York and Massachusetts, yet Vermont’s crime rate has remained among the lowest in the nation for decades. The facts just don’t add up for the ‘Wild West’ claims. Overriding the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 656 will make it easier for every law-abiding citizen to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The conceal carry portion of the bill goes into effect January 1, 2017.

Mid-Missouri sheriff departments are reminding residents they still need to have a permit to carry a concealed firearm until the bill goes into effect.

“I think every law-abiding citizen should have the right to carry a gun, but when they exercise that right, they have to be smart and diligent and train with that weapon and know when to use it,” said Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman. “Hopefully people are responsible enough to go train with that weapon.”

Current law requires at least eight hours of training before applying for a CCW at the sheriff’s department.

For most of 2016, Jim Hill, a firearms instructor at Target Masters in Columbia, said their CCW classes have been completely full.

He said he thinks SB 656 is a step in the right direction, but said he has some concerns because the training wouldn’t be required.

“I’m afraid some good person is going to walk into the wrong place and get arrested for that or use deadly force when they think it’s their right and go to prison,” he said.

Major Tom Reddin with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said SB 656 isn’t changing the laws and regulations for legally buying and owning a firearm. He said the lack of training and experience required to carry a concealed gun when the law goes into effect is a drawback.

“We’re losing an educational requirement here that really makes people think and also make sure they have skill level with the firearm in which they choose to carry,” he said.

Another portion of the bill expands the types of permits gun owners can purchase at the sheriff’s department. SB 656 now includes 10-year permits, 25-year permits and lifetime permits. Major Reddin advises those who want to carry their concealed weapons in other states to apply for the standard 5-year CCW permit.

“These provisions are only valid within the state of Missouri,” he said. “So if somebody wants to conceal carry in another state they have to know and abide by the regulations in the other state.”

Reddin said most states recognize Missouri’s 5-year CCW permit, but said many won’t accept the new expanded permits.