State Constitutional Amendment Would Require Missouri to Defend the Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Two Missouri state senators have proposed a change to the state constitution which would make the state “obligated” to uphold the right to keep and bear arms.

If passed by both state houses, SJR 36 would be submitted to the voters for approval.  Once part of the state constitution, it would hold a higher legal position than any bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor.

Prefiled on December 3, 2013 by State Senators Kurt Schaefer and Ron Richard, it reads in part:

“This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, modifies provisions regarding the right to keep and bear arms. This amendment provides that a citizen has the right to keep and bear arms in defense of their family, in addition to the current rights in defense of home, person and property. The amendment removes language stating that the right to keep and bear arms did not justify the wearing of concealed weapons. Finally, the amendment provides that the rights guaranteed under this provision of the Constitution are unalienable. The State of Missouri is obligated to uphold these rights and shall under no circumstances decline to protect against their infringement.”

The proposed change to the State Constitution works hand in hand with the re-filed 2nd Amendment Preservation act, which seeks to nullify all federal acts, orders, rules and regulations regarding the right to keep and bear arms within the state.

Tenth Amendment Center national communications director made note of this connection. “On the one hand, activists are working to support the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act, which is the most powerful legislation we’ve seen like this in the country. Adding a constitutional mandate for the state to defend the right to keep and bear arms just takes things to another level,” he said.