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Missouri candidates sound off on legalizing CCW
Josey1
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Missouri House and Senate candidates sound off on legalization of concealed guns
By SUMMER HARLOW
The Kansas City Star
When it comes to carrying concealed weapons, there's not much gray area.
For voters and for Missouri House and Senate candidates, legalization of concealed guns is again at issue after House members last session approved a bill that would have provided for statewide legalization.
The House legislation would have changed the law without requiring a public vote. That's despite the 1999 failure of Proposition B, a statewide referendum that would have allowed Missourians to carry concealed weapons. Voters rejected the measure 52 percent to 48 percent.
The state Senate version of the bill, which would have required another statewide vote and exempted counties with populations of more than 200,000, never came to a vote this past session.
Currently Missourians who own a gun can carry it as long as it is in plain view.
Supporters and opponents of "concealed carry" expect legalization legislation to come forward again when the House and Senate reconvene.
"Voters absolutely need to be aware of what candidates think because concealed weapons are such a hot button in the Midwest," said Richard Cook, director of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, an educational organization.
Here's a look at the views of candidates who face opposition in the Aug. 6 primary:
33rd House District
Jeff Bailey, Republican
Bailey, of Gladstone, said he thinks everyone has the right to carry a concealed weapon. Proposition B never should have come before voters, he said.
"It's the right of an individual, so it doesn't matter what the majority wants," Bailey said. "I don't see how legislators or people have a vote either way."
That right, however, also brings responsibility, he said.
"They have the right to carry, but we ought to know who could be carrying," Bailey said. He suggested that those who want to carry a concealed weapon be required to place some kind of identifying sticker on their vehicle license plate.
He also said he thought carriers should have some sort of liability insurance.
"I think the idea of people carrying guns leads to a certain level of paranoia," he said. "They may be quick to shoot, so people who exercise their right to carry concealed weapons are going to end up in court more often than they are now."
The underlying issue of why anyone would want to carry a concealed gun is more important than whether it is legal, Bailey said.
"If someone feels an overwhelming need to carry a firearm, we've missed something," he said. "Why they feel that need, that's what we need to focus our attention on. We need to focus on that level of fear."
Bailey's opponent in the primary, Tim Wrigley, could not be reached.
Democrat Philip Willoughby, the incumbent, is unopposed in the primary.
35th House District
Doug Ervin, Republican
Ervin, of Kearney, said he supports licensing for Missourians who want to carry concealed guns.
"Like a driver's license," he said. "We need to go about this in a responsible manner. There are a number of protections that can be put in place."
He's not certain whether safety classes should be mandatory for carriers.
In addition, he said, a stadium, school or church is no place for guns.
"I would support any business or organization that wanted to post signs to prohibit concealed guns because that's a property rights issue," he said.
Ervin also said he has no problem with legislators overturning what the public decided in 1999.
"Although I believe local control is important, I would support legislation because it was the urban areas who were opposed," he said. "Geographically a vast majority of the state supports it."
Diane Mead, Republican
Mead, of Kansas City, North, said she thinks that all Missourians should have the right to carry concealed weapons, but that training and licensing should be mandatory.
And although she said she doesn't think guns have a place in schools, she does not have a problem with them being allowed at sporting events, in cars or on the streets.
"I don't think proper, law-abiding citizens will pose any problems if carrying concealed weapons is allowed," she said.
Mead said the issue probably should be brought before voters again, instead of just approved through the General Assembly. However, she said that view could change.
She said that she didn't think Proposition B was properly presented. "I think that with better education...and clearer language it would have passed," she said. "I think maybe people were frightened at that point.... The safeguards need to be brought more to the attention of opponents."
Democrat Steve Wolcott is unopposed.
36th House District
Benny Ward, Democrat
Ward, the former mayor of Excelsior Springs and a current City Council member, said Missourians should be allowed to carry concealed weapons for protection but not at sporting events or schools.
"They should be required to have a license and pass a test," he said. "They should be knowledgeable about how to operate the weapon in a safe manner."
Whether to allow concealed weapons, however, is a decision best left to the public, he said.
"I do think carrying concealed weapons is something Missourians should be allowed to do, and I think another vote of the people is the fairest way to implement it," he said.
Ward said that permitting concealed guns would be better than the current law, which he said encourages criminals to steal a gun that's visible on a car seat.
Ward is running against incumbent Gary Kelly in the primary. Kelly could not be reached for comment.
There is no Republican candidate.
38th House District
Mark Hall, Democrat
Hall, a minister at New Franklin United Church of Christ, said he loves guns and is an avid hunter.
But Hall, of Gladstone, opposes the carrying of concealed weapons.
"It's too easy for people to lose the ability to control their impulses," he said.
He would like to see, however, retired police officers be granted permits, with yearly qualification testing, to carry concealed guns.
"They have a lifetime of experience," said Hall, who recently completed 10 years of active duty as a chaplain for the U.S. Army. "At no cost to taxpayers we would have hundreds of extra eyes and ears on the streets. I'm not against something that makes sense."
Hall also said he would not support the legislature trying to legalize concealed guns without first going to the public for another vote.
"This is enough of a divided issue that it's not for the politicians to decide," he said.
Guns also should be prohibited in schools and at sporting events, he said.
"Add a little alcohol to an emotional environment, and you have a recipe for problems," he said.
Dan Bishop, Democrat
Bishop, a former Gladstone councilman who served one term as mayor, said he does not favor any kind of concealed-weapon law, especially not to allow them in vehicles.
"I don't think it's a huge intuitive leap that if someone is trying to run you off the road, and they have access to a gun, they might be apt to use it," he said. "And if they already have access to a gun, why would they want to conceal it?"
He also said he objects to the legislature trying to pass a law after the referendum was defeated.
"The voters have spoken and expressed their will," he said.
Republican Judy Bowman is unopposed.
34th Senate District
Charlie Shields, Republican
Shields, a state representative from St. Joseph, said he voted in favor of the conceal and carry legislation this past session.
"There's a lot of emotion surrounding the issue, but I looked at other states and the vast majority of the research doesn't indicate it has been a problem," he said. "It seems to be a success."
It's a matter of personal protection, Shields said. He said any legislation should include training requirements and prohibitions against concealed weapons in such places as bars, stadiums, schools and churches.
Shields said the issue should be decided by the legislature, not in a referendum.
"It is still appropriate to let the legislature deal with it to take the emotion out of it," he said. "Just because an issue has been dealt with once doesn't mean it can't be dealt with again. Part of the reason it came back is because post-9/11, there's a little more attention paid to issues surrounding personal protection."
Shields' opponent in the primary, Jim Pitts, could not be reached for comment.
Democrat Glenda Kelly is unopposed.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/3628654.htm
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
By SUMMER HARLOW
The Kansas City Star
When it comes to carrying concealed weapons, there's not much gray area.
For voters and for Missouri House and Senate candidates, legalization of concealed guns is again at issue after House members last session approved a bill that would have provided for statewide legalization.
The House legislation would have changed the law without requiring a public vote. That's despite the 1999 failure of Proposition B, a statewide referendum that would have allowed Missourians to carry concealed weapons. Voters rejected the measure 52 percent to 48 percent.
The state Senate version of the bill, which would have required another statewide vote and exempted counties with populations of more than 200,000, never came to a vote this past session.
Currently Missourians who own a gun can carry it as long as it is in plain view.
Supporters and opponents of "concealed carry" expect legalization legislation to come forward again when the House and Senate reconvene.
"Voters absolutely need to be aware of what candidates think because concealed weapons are such a hot button in the Midwest," said Richard Cook, director of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, an educational organization.
Here's a look at the views of candidates who face opposition in the Aug. 6 primary:
33rd House District
Jeff Bailey, Republican
Bailey, of Gladstone, said he thinks everyone has the right to carry a concealed weapon. Proposition B never should have come before voters, he said.
"It's the right of an individual, so it doesn't matter what the majority wants," Bailey said. "I don't see how legislators or people have a vote either way."
That right, however, also brings responsibility, he said.
"They have the right to carry, but we ought to know who could be carrying," Bailey said. He suggested that those who want to carry a concealed weapon be required to place some kind of identifying sticker on their vehicle license plate.
He also said he thought carriers should have some sort of liability insurance.
"I think the idea of people carrying guns leads to a certain level of paranoia," he said. "They may be quick to shoot, so people who exercise their right to carry concealed weapons are going to end up in court more often than they are now."
The underlying issue of why anyone would want to carry a concealed gun is more important than whether it is legal, Bailey said.
"If someone feels an overwhelming need to carry a firearm, we've missed something," he said. "Why they feel that need, that's what we need to focus our attention on. We need to focus on that level of fear."
Bailey's opponent in the primary, Tim Wrigley, could not be reached.
Democrat Philip Willoughby, the incumbent, is unopposed in the primary.
35th House District
Doug Ervin, Republican
Ervin, of Kearney, said he supports licensing for Missourians who want to carry concealed guns.
"Like a driver's license," he said. "We need to go about this in a responsible manner. There are a number of protections that can be put in place."
He's not certain whether safety classes should be mandatory for carriers.
In addition, he said, a stadium, school or church is no place for guns.
"I would support any business or organization that wanted to post signs to prohibit concealed guns because that's a property rights issue," he said.
Ervin also said he has no problem with legislators overturning what the public decided in 1999.
"Although I believe local control is important, I would support legislation because it was the urban areas who were opposed," he said. "Geographically a vast majority of the state supports it."
Diane Mead, Republican
Mead, of Kansas City, North, said she thinks that all Missourians should have the right to carry concealed weapons, but that training and licensing should be mandatory.
And although she said she doesn't think guns have a place in schools, she does not have a problem with them being allowed at sporting events, in cars or on the streets.
"I don't think proper, law-abiding citizens will pose any problems if carrying concealed weapons is allowed," she said.
Mead said the issue probably should be brought before voters again, instead of just approved through the General Assembly. However, she said that view could change.
She said that she didn't think Proposition B was properly presented. "I think that with better education...and clearer language it would have passed," she said. "I think maybe people were frightened at that point.... The safeguards need to be brought more to the attention of opponents."
Democrat Steve Wolcott is unopposed.
36th House District
Benny Ward, Democrat
Ward, the former mayor of Excelsior Springs and a current City Council member, said Missourians should be allowed to carry concealed weapons for protection but not at sporting events or schools.
"They should be required to have a license and pass a test," he said. "They should be knowledgeable about how to operate the weapon in a safe manner."
Whether to allow concealed weapons, however, is a decision best left to the public, he said.
"I do think carrying concealed weapons is something Missourians should be allowed to do, and I think another vote of the people is the fairest way to implement it," he said.
Ward said that permitting concealed guns would be better than the current law, which he said encourages criminals to steal a gun that's visible on a car seat.
Ward is running against incumbent Gary Kelly in the primary. Kelly could not be reached for comment.
There is no Republican candidate.
38th House District
Mark Hall, Democrat
Hall, a minister at New Franklin United Church of Christ, said he loves guns and is an avid hunter.
But Hall, of Gladstone, opposes the carrying of concealed weapons.
"It's too easy for people to lose the ability to control their impulses," he said.
He would like to see, however, retired police officers be granted permits, with yearly qualification testing, to carry concealed guns.
"They have a lifetime of experience," said Hall, who recently completed 10 years of active duty as a chaplain for the U.S. Army. "At no cost to taxpayers we would have hundreds of extra eyes and ears on the streets. I'm not against something that makes sense."
Hall also said he would not support the legislature trying to legalize concealed guns without first going to the public for another vote.
"This is enough of a divided issue that it's not for the politicians to decide," he said.
Guns also should be prohibited in schools and at sporting events, he said.
"Add a little alcohol to an emotional environment, and you have a recipe for problems," he said.
Dan Bishop, Democrat
Bishop, a former Gladstone councilman who served one term as mayor, said he does not favor any kind of concealed-weapon law, especially not to allow them in vehicles.
"I don't think it's a huge intuitive leap that if someone is trying to run you off the road, and they have access to a gun, they might be apt to use it," he said. "And if they already have access to a gun, why would they want to conceal it?"
He also said he objects to the legislature trying to pass a law after the referendum was defeated.
"The voters have spoken and expressed their will," he said.
Republican Judy Bowman is unopposed.
34th Senate District
Charlie Shields, Republican
Shields, a state representative from St. Joseph, said he voted in favor of the conceal and carry legislation this past session.
"There's a lot of emotion surrounding the issue, but I looked at other states and the vast majority of the research doesn't indicate it has been a problem," he said. "It seems to be a success."
It's a matter of personal protection, Shields said. He said any legislation should include training requirements and prohibitions against concealed weapons in such places as bars, stadiums, schools and churches.
Shields said the issue should be decided by the legislature, not in a referendum.
"It is still appropriate to let the legislature deal with it to take the emotion out of it," he said. "Just because an issue has been dealt with once doesn't mean it can't be dealt with again. Part of the reason it came back is because post-9/11, there's a little more attention paid to issues surrounding personal protection."
Shields' opponent in the primary, Jim Pitts, could not be reached for comment.
Democrat Glenda Kelly is unopposed.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/3628654.htm
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878