Politics

Legislation Transfering Conceal Carry Process From DOR To Local Sheriffs Endorsed By Mo. House

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published April 23, 2013 at 7:23 PM CDT

The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would overhaul the state’s conceal carry process.

House Bill 859 would eliminate conceal carry endorsements in favor of conceal carry permits, which would be issued by county Sheriff’s offices instead of theDepartment of Revenue. It’s sponsored by State Representative Rick Brattin (R, Harrisonville).

“It (will protect) our constituents, every person in the state, all their important information that’s been scanned and sent away, it’ll put a stop to that," Brattin said. "It’ll remove the regulation, (the) red tape, (and) put it back in the hands of the local county sheriff.”

Currently, sheriff’s offices process the conceal carry applications and handle the background checks, then send applicants to their local DOR license fee office to get the actual card, which comes in the form of a red-lettered driver's license or a non-driver's license Conceal Carry Weapons endorsement. Opponents say an amendment eliminating renewal fees for conceal carry would cut into state revenues.

The bill needs one more vote before moving to the Missouri Senate.

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Marshall Griffin

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.

See stories by Marshall Griffin

Marshall Griffin

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.