The Missouri Senate approved on Wednesday a bill that would lower the state’s minimum age for a conceal and carry permit from 23 to 21 years old.
Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, said the bill would help restore the rights of Missourians to protect themselves.
“Where I live, you know, it’s like if you don’t have a gun, it’s like not having a car,” Nieves said.
As part of the training to get a conceal and carry permit, applicants have to show proficiency with two different guns.
Sen. Maria Chappell-Nadal, D-St. Louis County, spoke out against lowering the minimum age and its dangers in her urban district.
“I’d like it to stay at 23 because this is a weapon,” Chappell-Nadal said.
Chappell-Nadal also said she wishes Missouri had balanced legislation to deal with the concerns of the urban and rural areas.
Nieves volunteered to take Chappell-Nadal to the shooting range to make her more comfortable with guns.
The approved plan also would allow the staff of legislators to conceal and carry a gun within the Capitol building.
Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, voted against the bill and said he would advise his staff against taking part in the program.
“People act irrationally sometimes and that’s a mistake that you’ll pay for for a long long time,” Keavany said.
Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, said he would support his staff carrying guns as long as they take the required safety class.
“The whole idea of this is to give the law-abiding citizens the right to protect themselves against criminals,” Munzlinger said.
The bill now goes to the House.
– Missouri Digital News
