http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/courtrules_1977.mp3
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled today that the concealed weapons law is constitutional. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
HE FIVE TO TWO DECISION CLEARS THE WAY FOR CONCEALED WEAPONS IN ALL MISSOURI COUNTIES EXCEPT FOUR--GREENE, CAPE GIRARDEAU, CAMDEN AND JACKSON. THESE COUNTIES CONVINCED THE COURT THE CONCEALED WEAPONS LAW AMOUNTS TO AN UNFINDED MANDATE, SOMETHING THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION'S HANCOCK AMENDMENT. THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL THAT AUTHORIZED CONCEALED WEAPONS IS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LARRY CRAWFORD. TWO-THIRDS OF THE LEGISLATURE VOTED LAST FALL TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THE CONCEALED WEAPONS LEGISLATION. BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE HANCOCK AMENDMENT CITED IN THE RULING, MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY NIXON IS URGING SHERIFFS IN ALL OF MISSOURI'S COUNTIES TO WAIT FOR LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BEFORE HANDING OUT PERMITS. OPPONENTS OF CONCEALED WEAPONS SAY THEY'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE COURT'S RULING. URBAN LAWMKERS HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY VOCAL IN THEIR OPPOSITION. ST LOUIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOAN BRAY SAYS NOW THE STREETS OF MISSOURI WILL BE MORE DANGEROUS. AND COLUMBIA SENATOR KEN JACOB SAYS HE CAN'T BELIEVE THE COURT CLEARED THE WAY FOR A PIECEMEAL APPROACH TO CONCEALED WEAPONS WHERE SOME COUNTIES ALLOW THEM AND OTHERS DON'T. SUPPORTERS OF CONCEALED WEAPONS SAY THEY'RE READY OT MOVE FORWARD WITH LEGISLTATION THAT WILL ADDRESS THE HANCOCK CONCERN RAISED IN THE RULING. THEY SAY THAT WOULD GIVE CITIZENS IN ALL MISSOURI COUNTIES THE RIGHT TO CARRY.