Missouri Action Alert: Help Push the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act Over the Finish Line

By: |Published on: May 26, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|

On May 8, the Missouri legislature approved arguably the strongest defense of the Second Amendment in American history.

If signed into law, HB436 will nullify virtually every federal gun control measure on the books – or planned for the future.

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.

But work remains to make Second Amendment preservation a reality in Missouri. The legislature transmitted the bill to Gov. Jay Nixon on May 22. That gives him until July 6 (45 days) to make a decision on the bill.  Should he veto the measure, the legislature will reconvene in September and consider an override.

Sources close to the Tenth Amendment Center indicate Nixon does not want nullification to become a reality in Missouri. But he has political considerations to take into account. Missourians overwhelmingly support the right to keep and bear arms, and if he actively blocks a measure protecting those most basic rights,  it would tarnish his credentials as a relatively Second Amendment-friendly politician, and possibly torpedo future political aspirations.

Missourians need make it clear they are paying attention to his actions and let him know in no uncertain terms that they do not expect him to stand with those in Washington D.C. who would enforce unconstitutional actions violating the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment Preservation Act passed both the Missouri House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. Missourians need to make sure their representatives and senators maintain their resolve should Nixon chose Washington D.C. over the people he represents in Missouri. Show Me State lawmakers need to know the people have their back.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Send a hand-written letter to Gov. Nixon. Ask him to sign the Second Amendment Preservation Act. Phone calls and emails can have impact as well, but activists on the ground say a actual stack of mail will make the point much more strongly. Follow up with a second letter with different points of emphasis a week or so later. Send letters to:
Gov. Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Call the governor’s office at  (573) 751-3222

You can send emails HERE.

2. Contact Representatives and Senators who voted for HB436 and thank them. Let them know you appreciate their efforts and ask them to stand firm should Nixon wield the veto pen.

You can find Senate contact information HERE and House contact information HERE.

3. 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.

4. 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. Get active locally!

model legislation here: http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/missourilocal

5. Connect with the Tenth Amendment Center on Social Media. Join the grassroots activism group –http://www.facebook.com/groups/2ndAmendmentMissouri/

BILL INFORMATION

HB436, the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act, might be the most appropriately named bill anywhere.  It proposes to do just what’s in the title, and 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.

There is no stronger protection for the right to keep and bear arms anywhere in the country – if passed into law.

ADDITIONAL READING AND RESOURCES

The 2nd Amendment Preservation Act IS constitutional

How to Respond to Unlawful Orders

The 2nd Amendment didn’t “grant” rights

Mike Maharrey
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