General Assembly Allows Any Missourian to Conceal a Weapon Without a Permit

Intro:	A General Assembly override of the governor's veto expands the right to carry a concealed weapon to all Missourians.
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Wrap: Missouri citizens will be able to carry their weapons concealed and without a permit next year.

The measure will also expand ‘stand your ground’ laws, allowing citizens to shoot if they feel threatened in more locations.

Governor Jay Nixon vetoed the bill saying it would deny sheriffs the ability to refuse a concealed permit to people they deem dangerous.

Republican Representative Paul Curtman said the measure will give people their full right to bear arms.

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Description: It is absolutely, 100 percent impossible to guarantee somebody their rights and at the same time have laws that continue to restrict their rights.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I’m Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	An expansion of concealed carry rights allows Missourians to defend themselves better, Republican representatives argued.
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Wrap: The General Assembly approved expanding concealed carry to any armed Missourian by two-thirds of both bodies, overriding the governor’s veto.

Governor Jay Nixon said the measure would take away public safety protections to keep gun owners responsible.

Republican Representative Rick Brattin said people must be able to defend themselves from attackers, and the measure would help accomplish that.

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Description: I think this is the absolute, most commonsense approach to allow people to protect themselves from a would-be attacker.

The bill also expands ‘stand your ground’ laws, allowing people who feel threatened to fire.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I’m Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	An approved measure to expand 'stand your ground' rights may limit prosecutors ability to convict, a Democratic representative said.
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Wrap: Concealed carry rights were expanded to any armed Missourian by the General Assembly, overriding the governor’s veto.

The measure allows gun owners to concealed carry nearly anywhere they can now open carry. It also expands citizens’ ability to shoot when they feel threatened.

St. Louis City Representative Kimberly Gardner said the bill would hurt the chances of prosecuting alleged murderers.

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Description: It blurs the lines for people as myself, as prosecutors, who want to hold individuals accountable that use that justification wrongfully.

Republican Representative Kevin Engler said the measure will not make violence worse.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I’m Jack Morrisroe.