preview

Missouri House Bill 1468 Pros And Cons

Decent Essays
Missouri House Bill 1468, removes the need for an individual to have a permit for a conceal-and-carry firearm. This bill was sponsored by Eric Burlison, a Republican, who is the current representative for District 133 in the Missouri House of Representatives. Before this bill, any resident of Missouri who is at least 19 years old, or any military member who is at least 18 years old, must apply for a permit that costs $100 as well as complete an eight-hour long firearms safety course (Bliss). Even with the addition of this bill, it is still forbidden to carry a firearm in the following places: schools, governmental buildings, private property that restricts firearms, and many other places. It also is illegal for domestic violence offenders…show more content…
They are opposites of the NRA and believe that looser gun laws lead to violence in America, and believe that this bill impedes the furtherance of the common good (Missouri Times). St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, who is also a member of Everytown, argues that this bill increases the presence of guns in Missouri and propagates a “shoot-first-ask-questions-later” type attitude (Missouri Times). Through Mayor Slay’s statement, it puts our community at risk for more violence than it ever has seen before, simply because of one’s violent disposition for violence when dealing with a dangerous situation. In my opinion, I disagree with the bill. Simplifying the process for allowing guns on the street can do more harm than good. Reducing the regulations required to carry-and-conceal can do more harm than good. While I do agree that the fee is a little ridiculous, I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea that some people do not have the time to take the eight-hour class. This class is required simply because guns are a dangerous weapon. Without the proper skills, if a firearm were to be acquired by the wrong person, the amount of damage they can do with it is permanent. The class is required to prevent catastrophes from occurring. When firearms fall into the wrong hands, it also makes the job of law enforcement much harder. If a situation arose with an offender, they would have to possibly engage the situation in a much more violent manner, because the suspect might have a firearm in their possession. Forcing police to patrol the streets with a heightened sense of security because of the number of firearms on the streets seems unfair, and dangerous. I also do agree that people have a right to defend themselves as well as their loved ones, but only if they have the necessary skills required to successfully defend them in the safest way
Get Access