Politics

Missouri’s Gov. Jay Nixon overridden on guns, voter ID

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Missouri Republican lawmakers overrode Gov. Jay Nixons earlier veto of legislation that improved concealed carry. [Dave Workman photo]
Missouri Democrats are an unhappy lot after majority Republicans in both the state Senate and House voted to override Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of legislation that improved the state’s concealed carry law, expanded Castle Doctrine, added provisions for “stand your ground” and makes it possible to carry without a permit.

Nixon’s veto of a voter ID law was also overridden, but according to the Kansas City Star, “Even though the veto was overridden, the bill won’t become law unless voters decide in November to amend the state’s constitution to allow a photo ID requirement.” The newspaper recalled that the Missouri Supreme Court “deemed voter ID unconstitutional in 2006, ruling that the law amounted to a ‘heavy and substantial burden on Missourians’ free exercise of the right of suffrage.’”

The newspaper noted that if voters reject the constitutional amendment in November, “voter ID remains unconstitutional and the enacting legislation voted on Wednesday is moot.”

The gun law override was along party lines with the Senate voting 24-6 and the House voting 112-41.

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When lawmakers took up the voter ID requirement, the Senate voted 24-7 to override while the House overrode Nixon’s veto by a 115-41 margin.

The lopsided votes put Missouri Democrats into the position of having to defend the concept of allowing people to vote without identification, while restricting their Second Amendment and self-defense rights.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, there have been problems with absentee ballots in the 78th House District in St. Louis.

This legislation is reportedly “tied to a voter referendum” on the November ballot dealing with voter ID. If this referendum passes, the requirement would take effect next year.

In the meantime, the stand your ground provision takes effect in 30 days. Permitless carry takes effect on Jan. 1.

Democrats argued that the new law will make the streets of St. Louis and Kansas City less safe. According to the Post-Dispatch, “Democrats expressed fear that the bill would put weapons in the hands of those who were previously denied permits.”

Quoted by the Star, Republican State Rep. Kevin Engler of Farmington countered, “This bill will not do the crazy things that are being said.”

There is a big of disagreement about what this new law actually does cover, as noted by this blog.

Gov. Nixon is term-limited out of office.

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