Governor Blunt Signs Legislation Enhancing Support for Missouri Gun Owners

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

June 26, 2008

Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


BOONVILLE  Gov. Matt Blunt today signed legislation reaffirming Missouris support for the Second Amendment.

"We have taken significant action over the last three and a half years to protect the Second Amendment and Missourians right to bear arms," Gov. Blunt said. "I am very pleased to sign this legislation which includes a package of reforms to protect the Second Amendment."

House Bill 2034, sponsored by Rep. Brian Munzlinger, provides civil immunity for owners and authorized users of firearm ranges. The legislation provides civil and criminal liability protection for owners and authorized users of hunting preserves. The legislation prevents owners and patrons of these ranges and hunting preserves from being sued by people who built homes next to the range or hunting preserve, then complained about the noise from them.

"On behalf of thousands of Missouri NRA members, Id like to thank Governor Matt Blunt for signing this important range protection bill into law," said Chris W. Cox, executive director NRA-Institute for Legislative Action. "Matt Blunt is a true friend to Missouris gun owners. Id also like to thank Representative Brian Munzlinger and Senator Kevin Engler for their leadership in seeing House Bill 2034 through the General Assembly."

"Shooting ranges give Missourians a place to learn to properly and responsibly handle firearms and it is in our best interest to protect these establishments from frivolous lawsuits. With the support of Governor Blunt we have been able to continue to protect Second Amendment rights for law-abiding gun owners. I thank him for his support on this piece of legislation as he signs it into law," Rep. Munzlinger said.

The legislation changes state law to allow a new resident of Missouri to apply for a concealed carry endorsement once they have established and proven legal residence in Missouri. Previously new residents had to wait six months before they could apply for a concealed carry endorsement. The legislation also closes all records to the public relating to concealed carry endorsements issued prior to August 28, 2007. Such records will be available by court order as part of a criminal investigation.

The legislation also states that convicted felons who knowingly possess firearms can be charged with the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class C felony.

House Bill 2034 also encourages landowners to grant permission for others to participate in outdoor recreation on their property by providing immunity for the landowner in the event of injury to invited individual or damage to their property.

Last year Gov. Blunt signed legislation ensuring that law-abiding Missourians would maintain their Second Amendment right to possess firearms in natural disasters. The governor also signed the Castle Doctrine, a legal concept protecting the right of law-abiding Missourians to treat their home as their castle and defend it, without the fear of being sued.