Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon has signed House Bill 533 to expand gun rights in the state of Missouri.
House Bill 533 allows a state employee to keep a firearm in his or her vehicle while on property owned or leased by the state, allows a fire chief to carry a concealed firearm, and expresses the General Assembly's support of responsible gun ownership.
"As a gun owner and hunter, I support the Second Amendment rights of Missourians and oppose efforts to undermine them," Gov. Nixon said. "That is why, as Governor, I have enacted legislation to expand gun rights, including bills to strengthen the Castle Doctrine and to allow more Missourians to carry concealed weapons. House Bill 533 is a sensible expansion of Missouri's already strong protections for gun owners."
The Governor has consistently signed bills expanding the rights of gun owners in Missouri. In 2012, Gov. Nixon signed legislation to lower the right-to-carry age for active duty military stationed in Missouri from 21 to 18. A bill signed by the Governor in 2011 lowered the age at which Missourians' can obtain a conceal carry endorsement from 23 to 21 and allowed elected officials and staff with concealed carry permits to carry firearms in the Missouri State Capitol. In 2010, he signed bills to expand the scope of the "Castle Doctrine" to include the protection of unborn children and allowing small business owners and farmers to use deadly force on property they own or lease without having a duty to retreat.
In 2008, then-Attorney General Nixon was among the first attorneys general in the nation to file a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court urging it to strike down the Washington, DC gun ban and adopt the position that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. He also defended Missouri's conceal carry law before the Missouri Supreme Court and obtained reciprocity agreements from other states to recognize Missouri's conceal carry permits, making Missouri's endorsement the most widely recognized in the nation.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Celebrating Our Country’s Independence
Although we look forward to the Fourth of July every year because it may mean firecrackers or eating hotdogs with our families and friends, we often overlook what the holiday truly signifies. So, as we celebrate our country’s independence with barbeques, fireworks and parades, it is important to understand the sacrifices that were made so we could be a free nation.
On July 4, 1776, the visionary members of the Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence. They recognized that by doing so, they were committing an act of treason against the British Empire. And yet, they believed so deeply in the “American experiment” -- the creation of a country where people were free and even guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- that potential rewards far overshadowed potential risks. Such a promise had never been made before; and today, the United States is the most liberated country in the world.
Thomas Jefferson, our third U.S. president, was the Declaration’s primary author. Perhaps the most famous and awe-inspiring line of the document says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
We must not forget that the gift of freedom that has been handed down to us from our Founding Fathers and subsequent generations was earned, and continues to be earned, at a considerable cost. The courage shown more than 230 years ago lives on in our brave soldiers, who serve at home and abroad to protect the freedom our forefathers worked tirelessly to provide.
As we reflect on our history, it is important that we set aside our differences to celebrate this great country and honor the heroes who are serving and defending our freedom.
On this Independence Day, I encourage all Missourians to recognize the blessing of freedom that we have been granted and do our part to protect it for the next generation.
Remembering that freedom is not a guaranteed or written in stone, actions and attitudes impact the ability to continue to enjoy this way of life. So on this day celebrate with family and friends and remember our founding fathers for their commitment and sacrifices for a free society governed by their alliance through faith and higher authority.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Advance, Missouri – Miss Kelcee Davault meets Congressman Jason Smith in Washington, D.C. Kelcee is from Advance, Missouri and was in Washington as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour.
Each year electric cooperatives in Missouri sponsor essay contests to select delegates to travel on the annual Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. These fortunate high school students represent their local cooperative on a whirlwind tour of the nation’s capital.
Over 1,500 students from all across America take part each year.
They tour museums, visit America’s most cherished monuments and even meet their elected officials. All the while they are learning about electric cooperatives and their role in the community.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Missouri's 8th District - This week the United States Senate passed a bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens. In my view, the Senate’s immigration bill does not adequately secure our borders and it grants amnesty to people who knowingly break the law. I do not support the Senate amnesty bill and I am working to ensure it does not come to a vote in the House of Representatives.
The House has a much different approach to immigration reform than the 1,000 page amnesty bill passed in the Senate. The House is focused on securing our borders. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I voted for legislation that will provide a strong enforcement strategy and strengthen the security of our country. The Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, also known as the SAFE Act, grants state and local law enforcement officials the authority to enforce federal immigration laws. It also strengthens national security, protects American communities from dangerous criminal aliens, improves visa security, aids U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in doing their jobs, and strengthens border security.My view on immigration is simple and has not changed:
· I am opposed to amnesty in any and all forms.
· Congress must secure our borders.
· I believe Congress must ensure that anyone who is here illegally is not receiving government entitlements.
· I believe a pathway to citizenship already exists for people who follow the law and special treatment should not be given to those who have knowingly broken the law.
Like many of you, I am concerned about the U.S. Senate’s controversial immigration bill. In contrast to the SAFE Act, the U.S. Senate’s bill lacks sufficient border security and allows amnesty for illegal aliens. I oppose the Senate’s comprehensive approach to immigration reform. Please know I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to protect our Nation’s borders, oppose amnesty for people who have knowingly broken the law and promote stronger immigration policy.
