A Tyrant, Out of Control Governor

It never ceases to amaze me, how much freedom we lose each day. On April 6, 2000 voters in Missouri narrowly defeated a bill that would allow citizens in Missouri to carry concealed weapons for their protection. Actually a more accurate description would be St. Louis and Kansas City narrowly defeated the bill.

For the most part, this was the Missouri legislatures fault. They put it before a popular vote of the citizens. Essentially it was a true Democratic approach. The only problem is that if you allow a truly Democratic approach to take place, you turn your state’s decision over to “mob rule”. In short the urbanites decided that the rest of Missouri could not exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to protect themselves.

The second attempt (in 2003) at Conceal and Carry in Missouri was conducted using a smarter approach. This time not utilizing “popular vote”, they worked through a proposed bill that first wound its way through the Missouri House and was later approved by the Missouri Senate.

This was followed by a prompt veto by Governor Holden. Which was subsequently overrode by the Missouri legislature. Still Missourians would be denied their Constitutional rights.

In October, 2003: Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer ruled that the law needed a further review by the state Supreme Court he cited Missouri’s 1875 Constitutional Convention of 1875 which states:

“That carrying concealed weapons is "a practice which cannot be too severely condemned" and is connected to "incalculable evil."

No big surprise another Liberal activist judge that wished to deny citizens their rights. How come Liberal judges do not recognize state law until it benefits them?

Then in February 2004, the Missouri Supreme Court gave the ok to Missouri’s Conceal and Carry legislation. However; it also stated that 4 of Missouri’s counties “don't have to issue concealed weapons permits because their application fees wouldn't cover related costs, the court ruled. That amounts to an unfunded mandate, which the state constitution prohibits”

But just as the Missouri legislature plans to introduce a new bill that would fix the funding the problem. The Governor threatens to : “veto anything the legislature sends him -- unless it votes to repeal the conceal-carry law or put it to a vote of the people.”

So once again we are back to square one. Either kill the Conceal and Carry legislation or let St. Louis and Kansas City kill the legislation for us. The fact of the matter is our system of government is supposed to be a Constitutional Republic, therefore we do not allow “mob rule” to create or decide the fate of our laws.

The most ironic thing about all of this is that our governor, who feels that Missouri is safe enough to deny its citizens the right to self-defense, welcomed rap singer Nelly and his group the St. Lunatics to Jefferson City in February 2002. He wanted to honor “Nelly” for his work to improve test scores for students in St. Louis schools. Also ironic is that he overlooked the group’s lyrics, which include profanity and references to drugs. And even better yet is the fact that he had to add additional security for “Nelly’s” visit to the State Capitol.

So let’s recap, freedom loving Southerners and their symbols in Missouri bad. Rap stars that promote profanity and drugs and live a violent lifestyle. Good.

Clint E. Lacy

Is Vice Chair of the Missouri League of the South and a syndicated columnist.

clintlacy2@yahoo.com