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O'Fallon, MO
63366
SECOND
AMENDMENT
COALITION
OF MISSOURI
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St. Louis County
Is At It Again!
On Tuesday, Jan. 12 2010 I testified against a proposed ordinance at the St. Louis County Council meeting. The ordinance is as follows:
I told the council “that bill number 6 if enacted would be nullified by Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 21 General Assembly Section 21.750 which states firearms are to be regulated by the legislature alone with the only exceptions being where they can be discharged and where they can be carried openly. So enacting this law would require the county to either later rescind it or waste the county’s taxpayer dollars in a futile attempt to uphold it.”
“The issue of safe storage is more
complicated than it seems on the surface. This bill uses the words ‘intentionally
or recklessly’ which would require a judge or jury to read the person's mind
or base a decision on what they consider to be reckless. Previous versions have
used wording such as ‘failed to take reasonable precautions‘. But they leave
open the definition of ‘reasonable‘.”
“There is no way to write a law that would protect everyone from guns or
anything else. And statistics show that gun accidents are a very small fraction of
the accidents from all sources. This type of law puts homeowners at a
disadvantage if that gun is needed for self defense. That is part of why the DC
law was struck down by the US Supreme Court. It required people to keep
their guns stored in a non-functioning state. Anything that delays the
homeowners access to a working firearm when seconds count puts their life in
danger .”
“We are not against the safe use and storage of firearms. We are against this
type of legislation because, as others we have seen before, it is worded so
vaguely.”
“If you are truly interested in enhancing the safety of our children, this body should try to encourage the use of the very successful, award-winning Eddie Eagle GunSafe program developed by the NRA. “
“Begun in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program has reached more than 21 million children -- in all 50 states. This program was developed through the combined efforts of such qualified professionals as clinical psychologists, reading specialists, teachers, curriculum specialists, urban housing safety officials, and law enforcement personnel.”
St. Louis County Chairwoman Barbara Fraser, who is running for the state Senate…and is a co-sponsor of the bill, decided to postpone a vote on the proposed ordinance change dealing with child endangerment.
A reporter from stlbeacon.org covered the meeting. You can read her story and comment on it if you like. click here
In the story she stated “Fraser said the proposed ordinance focused on a number of illegal behaviors and wasn't targeting gun owners.” She failed to point out that only the first three items were illegal behaviors. The wording of this proposal implies guilt by association. It is not illegal to keep a firearm unlocked in a home where a minor under the age of seventeen can get access to it. Operating a vehicle under the influence, possessing controlled substances and acts of domestic assault are already illegal.
The story went on to say, “After the council meeting, Fraser said she was confident the proposed ordinance complied with state laws, but she was willing to wait a week so that some of the concerns voiced by gun-rights activists [can] be examined. In any case, she added, ‘I have no doubt that it will pass.’"
Here is the link to the statute that prohibits exactly this type of ordinance.
Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 21 Section 21.750
Read it for yourself, then call St. Louis County Chairwoman Barbara Fraser at (314) 615-5441. Ask her how this ordinance complies with state law. After all, you will pay for it. (with your tax money or your life)
Fred W. Heberer
President
Second Amendment Coalition of Missouri
Legislator Report Card
SACMO wants to make it easier
for Missourians to know who their elected officials 
are.
So we compiled the grades given by the NRA to each official in Missouri and put
them all in one place. There is also a link to help you determine which senate
and house district you are in. Click here to see
how your legislators stack up!
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Ever wonder who you would call if you had to use a firearm in self defense? Or if your gun was confiscated without just cause? Visit our Legal Referral page and contact an attorney that can provide the kind of expertise gun owners need in court. If you know of an attorney like this who is not listed, please let us know so other Missouri gun owners can benefit.
A speaker from SACMO may be available for your next meeting. In the past we have addressed gun clubs, business organizations and other groups about the Second Amendment. Please keep us in mind the next time you have a need for a speaker to educate your group about the role of firearms in society or just add some variety to your next meeting. You can call us, write or send an email if you would like to schedule one for your event.
In
2004, Fox News published an article by John R. Lott Jr.,
the author of "The
Bias Against Guns". This was the book sent to Missouri
senators
in 2003 by SACMO during the LTC debate. Click on the link below to read the
article.
FOXNews.com - Views - Why People Fear Guns
Click on the book to buy it and part of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to SACMO.
Visit the support SACMO , SACMO store and AMAZON.COM pages to find out how you can help us help you. Even though LTC has finally become law, we have to prepare for new assaults on our right to keep and bear arms. Don't wait until it's too late to do something. Support SACMO today!
If you have written a letter to the editor about 2nd amendment rights, send it to us or join the SACMO forum (subscribers only) and share it with other members.
If you want to know more about the most effective advocate of Missourian's Second Amendment rights, click here.
