Today, the Missouri House passed a “Constitutional Carry” bill to support the right of carrying a handgun openly or concealed without a state-issued permit by a vote of 112-37.

Introduced by Rep. Eric Burlison, House Bill 1468 (HB 1468) would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit anywhere where it is not expressly prohibited.

“Requiring people to pay background checks and heavy fees, does not put anything on the criminal. It puts the burden on the people who need to defend themselves,” Burlison said about his bill.

Gun Owners of America described the bill this way:

House Bill 1468 specifies that a person who may otherwise legally carry a concealed handgun is not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a concealed handgun.

In other words, you can carry a concealed gun without registering yourself with the government or paying a permission fee.

If you have to ask for permission, pay a tax on it and register yourself with the government, it’s not a right.

“Constitutional carry is a big step towards being able to exercise a natural right that has been infringed at all levels for far too long,” said Scott Landreth of ShallNot.org.

If passed into law, Missouri would be the 12th state to do so.

NEXT UP

HB1468 will now move to the state Senate. It will need to pass out of at least one committee before the full Senate has an opportunity to consider it.

Take Action:  If you live in Missouri, contact your State Senator (http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator) and strongly, but respectfully urge her/him to support HB 1468.

Read at Shallnot.org