Today, in the shadows of a pro gun-rights rally at the state capitol, the Missouri House voted to approve House Bill 436 (HB436), the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act, by a strong veto-proof majority.
Earlier this week, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed into law what many are calling the strongest state-level protection against federal infringements on the 2nd Amendment in the country. But that title might be short-lived, as Missouri’s HB436 (and the companion bill, SB325) up the ante.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 115-42, would nullify virtually all federal gun control measures on the books – “past, present, or future.” 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.
Ron Calzone of Missouri First, one of the leading state-level organizations supporting the effort, summed it up. He said, “This is the full-blown nullification of all federal firearms laws which are inherently unconstitutional. This will be the strongest defense of the Second Amendment in the country.”
Just a short time before the House vote, a rally of hundreds of people in support of the right to keep and bear arms was held inside the capitol. A number of people were holding signs in support of the legislation, and the companion bill.
That 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 committee move the bill forward quickly, a veto-proof majority is attainable with strong grassroots support.
ACTION ITEMS for Missouri
1. Contact your state Senator. Strongly, but respectfully, let him or her know that you want nothing less than a YES vote on both HB436 and SB325
Contact info here: http://www.house.mo.gov/legislatorlookup.aspx
2. 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.
3. 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/
4. Get connected to what is happening in Missouri on Facebook
Join and get active in the Missouri 2nd Amendment Group on Facebook.
LEGISLATION AND TRACKING
Wherever you are in the country, get active now to press state OR local elected politicians to introduce the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act.
Model legislation here: http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2ndamendmentpreservation
Track the status of similar legislation around the country here:
http://tracking.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2ndamendment
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