National group lobbies Missouri lawmakers on gun reform

Dozens of activists with Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America flooded the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday.

The lobby is working to garner support for House Bill 960, which would ban Missourians from having a firearm if they are being tried for or have been convicted of domestic abuse.

“The bill also requires notification of the State Highway Patrol so that the National Instant Criminal Background Check system can be updated and the FBI notified when there is a conviction of stalking in the second degree,” according to the bill text. “Unlawful possession of a firearm will include misdemeanor offenses of domestic violence under the law of any state or the United States and violations of the court order specified in the bill.”

Supporters said the bill effectively closes a loophole created in 2016.

“We all agree as Missourians we have a value that we don’t want bad people having guns,” said group spokeswoman Karen Rogers. “People who are domestic abusers should not have access to guns. And this is just a bill that closes a loophole that was opened up in 2016, when Missouri passed permit-less carry.”

Should the bill become law, the bill’s emergency clause means that it would take effect as soon as it is signed by the governor.

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