Gun rights, voting restrictions up for overrides in Missouri

Missouri lawmakers are set to expand Gov. Jay Nixon’s already historic status as the state’s most overridden governor, a record the Democrat earned after years of clashing with a Legislature under virtually unchecked Republican control.

These two bills, dealing with voter ID and gun rights have garnered both statewide and national attention.

In recent years, Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature has overridden him to enact the state’s first income tax rate cut in nearly a century, impose a 72-hour waiting period for abortions and ban college scholarships for immigrants living illegally in the U.S. It’s also overridden Nixon on numerous lower-profile bills simply because it has the numbers to do so.

The veto override attempt on the gun legislation must start in the Senate. It also includes self-defense provisions.

Courts in recent months have blocked voter ID laws passed in several states with Republican-led legislatures after civil rights groups argued the measures were discriminatory against poor and minority voters.

The Missouri House has voted to override Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of a bill that would require voters to have photo ID in order to vote. The requirements wouldn’t take effect unless voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment, which is needed because the Missouri Supreme Court previously struck down similar requirements as unconstitutional. However, election officials can take their picture and steps must be taken to get a photo ID for later use, with the state covering the cost.

Also closely watched is a vetoed bill that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls, with a few exceptions.

“Putting additional and unwanted barriers between citizens and their ability to vote is wrong and detrimental to our system of government as a whole”, Nixon said in his letter explaining the veto.

The measure would allow people to carry hidden guns anywhere they can now carry weapons openly. The organization distributed signs saying, “NRA”.

The legislation also would create a “stand-your-ground” right, meaning people don’t have duty to retreat from danger any place they are legally entitled to be present.

After voting on the photo ID bill, senators immediately took up the guns legislation.

In addition to loosening restrictions on the carry of firearms, the measure would have expanded Missouri’s castle doctrine and stand your ground protections.