Four Reasons the Missouri 2nd Amendment Preservation Act Failed, and What’s Next

By: |Published on: Sep 12, 2013|Categories: Action Alerts, Issues, Local, Nullification, Right to Keep and Bear Arms, State Bills, Strategy|

ROUND 2 STARTS TODAY

The Missouri 2nd Amendment Preservation Act sailed through the legislature this year, but was vetoed by Jay Nixon. The House override vote squeezed through, and the senate override failed by one vote.

Why did it fail? Some of it was technical, some political and some strategic.

1. The Bill Itself
FACT: The more a bill tries to accomplish, the less of a chance it has at becoming law.

HB436 tried to accomplish far too much and became susceptible to weakness. Conceal-carry, free speech issues, and the like should not be in a bill with a goal of nullifying FEDERAL violations of the 2nd Amendment. Why? Because it won’t become law.

STRATEGY: Keep it short and simple. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Mom was right.

Here’s the bill you should try to pass in 2014
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/legislation/2nd-amendment-preservation-act/

2. Strategy.
FACT: You don’t go from 0-60 in one push.

James Madison told us that the first response should be a “refusal to cooperate with officers of the Union.” Adding criminal penalties for federal agents was like trying to take three steps forward at once, instead of one solid one to build a foundation for the next two. Making the bill TOO strong provided political cover for those voting no. They wrongly cite Supreme Court cases to oppose the bill. The NRA doesn’t come out in support the bill. And NO votes say, “Even the CATO Institute is against this.” Without penalties, the bill is VERY effective, gives you something to build on, and eliminates those three oppositions to it.
(more on Madison’s advice HERE)

STRATEGY: Step-by-step is the path to victory.

Follow James Madison’s very clear advice, “refuse to cooperate with officers of the Union” (DETAILS HERE). Judge Andrew Napolitano told us that when a state refuses to assist the Feds on gun laws, it makes them “nearly impossible to enforce.”

If “nearly impossible to enforce” isn’t enough, add additional teeth the next year as you build even more support.

3. Local
FACT: County and city-level support was non-existent

When law enforcement associations came out against the bill days prior, that gave some law-and-order republicans the political cover they needed to vote NO. Missouri law enforcement receives pure cash for helping the Feds violate the constitution, $34 million kinda cash. So expect resistance from that leadership no matter what. But if the state is blanketed with local resolutions in support if the state bill, the opposition will be crippled

STRATEGY: Get you county, city, and town to pass a resolution in favor

Get it here:
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/missourilocal

4. Legislators

FACT: There are too many legislators in Missouri unwilling to take a stand against the Feds.

Whether it’s weakness, fear, or a hostility to the Constitution, the end result of the no votes is the same. Those that are on the fence got plenty of political cover to vote no. The steps above will eliminate most of that political cover.

STRATEGY: Pressure or replace

The previous strategies will likely ensure that one swing vote could come around. But that should still be too close for comfort. Start putting pressure on these legislators today. Primary those you believe have a realistic shot of being defeated. Should there also be a ballot initiative to enable recall?

TAKE ACTION TODAY

http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/missouri2A

Samuel Adams said it best:
Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance.

If you’re in Missouri, get active now.

Michael Boldin
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