St. Louis County Wins Conceal-Carry Court Battle
Created: 10/12/2004 10:41:15 PM
Updated: 10/12/2004 10:41:57 PM
A central Missouri court has sided with St. Louis County's decision not to issue conceal-carry permits.
Those who are against conceal-carry say th ruling is a big win, but gun supporters say it's a hollow one.
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, who's up for election, said, "This is a great victory for us.... St. Louis County overwhelmingly did not support conceal and carry."
Judge Brown stated in his ruling that the Missouri Conceal-Carry Law violates the Hancock amendment because it doesn't provide funding needed to issue the permits. Dooley said, "Using taxpayers money for conceal and carry permits is not the proper way to use taxpayers money in St. Louis county."
In addition to the issue of funding, St. Louis County Police Chief Jerry Lee says concealed weapons can make it more dangerous for citizens. Lee said, "We've had instances across metropolitan area where citizens have become involved with road rage and we feel with the added fact people could carry guns concealed that might make that situation worse."
But gunowners can still carry a loaded gun in their vehicles. This ruling doesn't affect that. And it also doesn't affect people who already have permits from other counties and other states.
Mark Campbell is owner of Mid America Arms in St. Louis county. Campbell said, "People are still going to get their conceal carry permits out of state. They're going that way, they're not going to wait around."
Michael Meyer got his permit from Florida. He is with Gateway Civil Liberties Alliance, a pro-gun grassroots group. Meyer said, "It's fairly easy to get, you could do it by being a resident of Missouri without even going down there. All you've got to do is mail it in."
It's not clear if the state will appeal this ruling.
NewsChannel 5 tried to contact Gene McNary, the republican candidate for St. Louis County Executive. He was not immediately available for comment.