In Missouri yesterday, the State House General Laws committee voted 9-3 in favor of HB436, the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act.   If passed into law, the bill would nullify virtually every federal gun control measure on the books.  It reads, in part:

All federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations, whether past, present, or future, which infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution shall be invalid in this state, shall not be recognized by this state, shall be specifically rejected by this state, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this state.

(2) Such federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations include, but are not limited to:
(a) The provisions of the federal Gun Control Act of 1934;
(b) The provisions of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968;
(c) Any tax, levy, fee, or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
(d) Any registering or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
(e) Any registering or tracking of the owners of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
(f) Any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of any type of firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens; and
(g) Any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens.

There is no stronger protection for the right to keep and bear arms anywhere in the country – if passed into law.  Currently that title goes to Kansas, where an almost-as-strong bill is sitting on Governor Brownback’s desk awaiting signature or veto.

According to Ron Calzone of Missouri First – the leading state-level organization supporting this bill, HB436 will now go to the Rules committee, then to the full House.

A companion bill, SB325 introduced by State Senator Brian Nieves, has already passed the General laws committee in the Senate and will go through a similar process there.  Moving both bills simultaneously is an excellent strategy towards passage into law as it will help fast track the measures to the Governor’s desk with enough time on the calendar to override his veto.  Inside sources say if the committees move the bills forward, a veto-proof majority is attainable with strong grassroots support.

ACTION STEPS for Missouri

1.  Contact the chair of the House Rules Committee.  Very politely request that she schedule a vote to move HB436 to the House floor soon.

Jeanie Riddle, chair – 573-751-5226
a phone call will have far more impact than an email.

2. Contact all the other Committee Members. Strongly, but respectfully let them know that you want a YES vote on HB436.

Contact info here:
http://www.house.mo.gov/committeeindividual.aspx?com=174&year=2013&code=R

3. Attend the 2nd Amendment Rally with information and flyers or posters. Thursday April 18th at 10am at the Missouri State Capitol Building.
Rally info: https://www.facebook.com/events/103881713125168/
For posters or flyers – http://www.mofirst.org/docs/2nd-A-Preservation-Act-sign.jpg

4.  Share this information widely.  Please pass this along to your friends and family.  Also share it with any and all grassroots groups you’re in contact with around the state.  Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.

5. Encourage your local community to take action as well.  Present the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act to your city county, your town council, or your county commissioners.  Various local governments around the country are already passing similar resolutions and ordinances.  Local legislative action is a great way to strengthen a statewide campaign against 2nd Amendment violations

model legislation here:
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2ndamendmentpreservation/

6. Get connected to what is happening in Missouri on Facebook
Join and get active in the Missouri 2nd Amendment Group on Facebook.