Following the lead of the Kansas state legislature, Missouri has voted to send Democratic Governor Jay Nixon a bill that would expand gun rights and declare all federal gun regulations unenforceable. The Missouri State House of Representatives approved the measure 118-36, the Senate passed it earlier this month. Reportedly, Missouri legislators are also "considering a constitutional amendment that would declare gun rights 'inalienable'."
MO State Rep Doug Funderburk
(R-Dist 103)
“We have the authority to enforce these laws. We are trying to position us so that we in this state can have safer neighborhoods.”
Doug Funderburk (R-St. Peters), sponsor of the bill.
In addition to nullifying Federal gun laws, the bill would allow schools to designate personnel who can carry concealed weapons in school buildings. The "protection officers"
would need a valid permit, be required to register with the state Department of Public Safety, and have to complete a training course.
Another provision would allow Missourians with a firearms permit to carry weapons less than 16 inches in public, even in places where open-carry has been prohibited. In addition, the law would make it a class A misdemeanor to publish information identifying gun owners and prevent doctors or nurses from being required to ask patients about gun ownership.
I have no idea what is going on in Missouri to cause legislators to feel the need to legislate that last point.
Federal gun law nullification is something of a cottage industry these days. Nullification legislation has been proposed in Kansas, Washington, Michigan, and Ohio.
ALEC-backed legislation restricting municipalities within a state from enacting gun regulations are nothing new.
This Act would prohibit local jurisdictions from independently enacting restrictions on the possession of firearms. This Act would also preempt the right of local jurisdictions to bring certain civil actions against firearms or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, and dealers.
Consistency in Firearms Regulation Act
I have not been able to find much information tying ALEC to this latest wave of nullification legislation but Funderburk is alleged to be a "known ALEC member or supporter" by
Progress Missouri. In addition, he has a 92%
NRA rating on gun
rights.
by the way, Funderburk's Twitter handle is @fundy111 should you care to share your feelings with him. Poor guy only has a handful of tweets.