How to sustain Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of unsafe Missouri gun bill

In a late Sunday interview with The Associated Press, Nixon cited concerns with a provision that would allow most people to carry concealed guns even if they haven’t gone through the training now required to get a permit.

“The way that the law is written now, you can open carry without a permit”.

Nixon, who discussed his veto Monday at the Missouri Police Chiefs Association annual conference, said the Second Amendment is a strongly held value in Missouri, but that this bill went too far.

The bill passed both chambers of the legislature with veto-proof majorities, meaning that Republican leaders will nearly certainly attempt an override. “But I am hopeful the legislature will be able to override this decision in September”.

“I can not support the extreme step of throwing out (the permit) process entirely, eliminating sensible protections like background checks and training requirements, and taking away the ability of sheriffs to protect their communities”, Nixon said in a statement, adding that he would be willing to consider ways to improve the licensing process.

“Allowing now prohibited individuals to automatically be able to carry concealed would make Missouri less safe”, he wrote.

“During a time that balanced approaches and solutions are needed more than ever to face increasing challenges, there is no need to create an imbalance, and potentially decrease the safety of citizens and police officers alike, through such a profound change in Missouri’s concealed carry law, which has served this state well over the past several years”.

“Make no mistake, we are staunch supporters of the Second Amendment”.

In his veto letter, Nixon also said the measure would allow those convicted of misdemeanor assault and two or more misdemeanor drug possessions within the last five years to carry hidden firearms.

The Republican-led bill passed the Missouri House and Senate this spring with enough votes to override the veto when lawmakers convene in September.

Becky Morgan of the Missouri Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said her group also is dedicated to keeping the veto intact.

State Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, called Senate Bill 656 important in allowing citizens to legally protect themselves and their families.

The bill will now head back to the Missouri General Assembly for reconsideration this fall.