From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Pistol packing legislation moves forward

April 8, 2003
By: Megan Murphy
State Capital Bureau

Legislation favored by pistol packers is moving forward.

A Senate Committee heard discussions on the House's version of the conceal and carry bill. Bill sponsor, Larry Crawford, says the passage of this bill is important because without it homes are left unarmed and defenseless.

Actuality:CRAW1.WAV
RunTime: 8
OutCue: "carry permit"


Contents: "We are one of only six states that do not allow any of our law-abiding citizens to be able to protect themselves with a carry permit."

One opponent of the bill raised the issue of child safety during the debate. Stacey Newman with the St. Louis Women's Coalition says the members of the committee need to put aside the self defense arguments and remember that our children are dying.

The Senate Committee will vote Wednesday whether to send the bill to the Senate floor.

In Jefferson City, Megan Murphy, KMOX News

The issue of pistol packing came up for debate in a Senate committee hearing.

Bill supporter, Gary Davis of the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance, says he believes carrying a concealed weapon is necessary for personal protection. Davis, a Vietnam veteran, says he thinks he has a better chance of being killed in Kansas City than he did in Vietnam.

Bill sponsor, Larry Crawford, told the committee that Missouri is one of only six states in the nation that doesn't allow its citizens to carry concealed weapons. Crawford says the bill could be important in protecting people from criminals.

Actuality:CRAW2.WAV
RunTime: 10
OutCue: "a weapon"


Contents: "The reason this bill is so valuable is that it plants the seed in a criminal's mind that wants to take advantage of somebody that they just might have a weapon."

Todd Elkins - chair of Missouri Impact, an inter-faith lobbying group, opposes the bill and says he believes it is "anti-community.

In Jefferson City, Megan Murphy, KMOX News

Legislation favored by pistol packers is moving forward. Megan Murphy has the story:

Bill sponsor, Larry Crawford, told a Senate committee that Missouri is one of only six states without the right to carry concealed weapons. Crawford went on to explain that this bill requires close scrutiny of permit applicants.

Actuality:CRAW3.WAV
RunTime: 7
OutCue: "and training."


Contents: "This bill would be one of the strictest, or I believe the strictest in the nation on background checks and training."

Stacey Newman, a representative from the St. Louis Women's Coalition, implored the members to look at child safety rather than self defense when voting on this bill.

The Committee is to vote Wednesday on whether or not this bill will make it to the Senate floor.

In Jefferson City, I'm Megan Murphy, with Missouri Capitol Caucus