The state House has approved a bill to let state employees keep guns concealed and locked in their vehicles while parked on state property.
Representative Jeanie Riddle (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
The bill was opposed on the floor by Representative Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City), who expressed concern about state employees at colleges and universities having guns in their vehicles.
“That creates for a less safe environment, whereas you are trying to create a more safe environment.”
The bill is sponsored by Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane), who says it’s about those state employees defending themselves going to and from work.
“There are [state employees] who work here in Jefferson City or elsewhere in the state that drive long distances home or to and from work, either way, and they have no way to defend themselves, and that’s what this bill is about. Giving them the same rights that other Missouri citizens have.”
The bill passed out of the House on a bipartisan 126-25 vote.