Missouri Dismisses Ban on Minors Carrying Guns

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Facts

  • Legislators in Missouri's Republican-majority House on Wednesday voted 104-39 to reject a proposal that would’ve banned minors from carrying guns in public without adult supervision. Only one Republican voted in favor of the proposal.1
  • The provision, originally included in House Bill 301 by a bipartisan working group, was removed by the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee before a floor vote. It was then defeated after being reintroduced as an amendment by Democratic Rep. Donna Baringer.2
  • Currently, there's no minimum age for firearm possession in Missouri, and possessing a weapon without a permit isn't illegal. Police can only act if someone is committing a crime or acting menacing.3
  • Since SCOTUS overturned a concealed carry law in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen last summer — which led to easier access to concealed-carry permits — it has reportedly been more difficult to adopt gun regulations nationwide.2

Sources: 1Guardian, 2The hill and 3Kctv5.

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Unlike California's renewed anti-Second Amendment agenda, Missouri understands that gun control doesn't lead to safer communities. While those opposed to unfettered concealed carry laws will claim it allows criminals to run rampant, what it actually does is give citizens a more affordable chance to defend themselves. All Missourians should be free from police harassment so long as they carry their weapons properly and in accordance with the law.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Stltoday.com. Despite the proposal being unanimously recommended by the bipartisan working group, Republicans, in their fanatical attempt to protect the Second Amendment, decided to block it. But the Second Amendment isn't meant to allow children to carry weapons or hinder police from preventing crimes committed by armed minors.