Senate overrides veto of concealed guns bill
The Missouri Senate voted today in favor of concealed weapons, meaning Missourians will be able to start carrying hidden guns.
The Senate voted 23-10 to override the veto of Gov. Bob Holden, who had rejected the measure sent to him by lawmakers earlier this year. The new law will take effect in 30 days.
The chamber needed 23 votes to override the veto, and the outcome had been in doubt Wednesday because of one senator's absence.
St. Louis area Republicans cast two key votes for the bill. Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake Saint Louis, had been on active duty for the Army National Guard in Cuba. He managed to return to Missouri early today and cast what became the deciding vote in favor of the override.
He angrily denied allegations that Republican leaders in Washington pulled strings to allow him to leave his post.
Earlier this year, Sen. Mike Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, originally voted against the measure. But then he switched his vote, ensuring the override. Gibbons' district voted overwhelmingly against Proposition B, another concealed weapons measure that Missouri voters narrowly rejected in 1999.
Gibbons said he finally made up his mind on this year's concealed weapons bill Wednesday night. He said he carefully reviewed the measure and found that this year's bill offered more protections than any such law in the country.
" I have come to this conclusion after much sweat and inquiry," he said.
Gibbons argued that it was inevitable that concealed weapons would eventually become law in Missouri and that he wanted to help pass a more restrictive bill.
"Anyone, who thinks this is a result of pressure from my colleagues or party, is grossly mistaken," he said. "There are law abiding citizens who feel they need to protect themselves."
An opponent, Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, said the new law is much more liberal than Proposition B. Overriding Gov. Bob Holden's veto shows a complete disregard for Missouri voters.
"This bill is a slap in the face to the citizens of the state of Missouri," he said. "This is a dismantling of Democracy."
The bill would require county sheriffs to issue a gun-carrying permit to someone who had passed a background check and completed safety training.
Also today, the Senate overrode Holden's veto on a bill that nullifies the city of St. Louis' lawsuit against gun manufacturers.
The override of that bill now moves to the House. Sen. Joan Bray, D-University City, said she opposed the measure in part because it would not adequately protect women from domestic abuse.
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