Denison: Preserving Firearms Freedom, Preventing Late-Term Abortions, Veterans Funding

“People will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Bonnie Jean Wasmund

Preserving Firearms Freedom (HB 294)

One piece of legislation approved by the House this week would strengthen the Second Amendment rights of Missouri citizens. One provision of the bill would lower the age requirement on concealed-carry permits from 23 to 21. Currently, Missouri is the only state to have an age requirement of 23. Making the change to 21 would put Missouri in line with the majority of other states. The bill also would keep sales taxes on firearms and ammunition from rising above the rate of other sporting good items. While there is not currently a higher sales tax rate on ammunition, the bill would prevent such a situation from happening in the future. Another provision in the bill would allow Missourians to purchase firearms, with the exception of handguns, from any state in the nation. Currently, Missouri has a tedious and unnecessary process that allows Missourians to only purchase rifles and shotguns in Missouri, or in our neighboring states. The change would remove this antiquated law and allow Missourians greater freedom when purchasing their firearms.

Preventing Late-Term Abortions (HB 213)

A bill I mentioned in a previous Capitol Report made its way to the House floor this week. I joined my colleagues in supporting a bill that would put a stop to late-term abortions. The legislation would make it illegal to abort a fetus deemed capable of living outside the womb. Specifically, it would ban abortions after 20 weeks unless two doctors verify that a fetus is either not viable or constitutes a medical threat to the mother. Doctors would use tests of the fetus' gestational age, weight and lung function. For a fetus found to be unviable, a doctor would be required to report to the state why the child was unviable after performing the abortion. Doctors who violate the proposed law could spend up to a year in prison and be fined between $10,000 and $50,000. With these provisions we can ensure an abortion is an option pursued only when it is absolutely medically necessary. We know there are few abortions performed after 20 weeks but it is in the best interest of all Missourians who value life to make it clear that these abortions cannot be performed unless they represent the only way to save the life of the mother.

Veterans Funding (HJR 29)

This week we also approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a new lottery game to benefit veterans. The legislation is meant to provide funding to the Missouri Veterans Commission, which runs seven nursing homes in the state. The homes provide 1,350 beds to veterans and currently have a waiting list of 1,600 veterans. However, because of funding cuts over the last three years, the commission’s capital improvement fund may be bankrupt by 2013. That would result in the homes being closed. Our hope is that the legislation passed this week can help create a new funding source for our veterans’ homes that will prevent them from being closed. If approved by voters, it would create new lottery ticket, with the proceeds from ticket sales going to the Veterans Commission capital improvement fund.

Immigration Legislation (HB 731)

Another bill passed this week would help keep illegal immigrants who have committed sexual offenses out of Missouri. The bill would expand our state sex offender registry to include citizenship status. In addition, it would require our State Highway Patrol to check the citizenship and immigration status of individuals on the sex offender list. Right now, our law requires only that law enforcement officials check the status of everyone they incarcerate. For anyone on the list found to be here illegally, the Highway Patrol would be required to report that information to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other appropriate federal agency. With this, we can ensure these dangerous criminals are deported from our state as soon as possible.

Secret Ballot (HJR 6)

Another proposed amendment to the state Constitution passed by the House this week would ensure the right to a secret ballot for anyone voting to form or join a union. The legislation is a response to the Employee Free Choice Act that was considered by Congress in 2009. The act would have changed federal law to require an employer to recognize a union when a simple majority of workers sign cards authorizing union representation. Current federal law allows an employer to recognize a union or require an election when 30 percent of the employer’s workforce signs authorization cards. We passed HJR 6 because we believe existing law has worked well to allow employees to vote to unionize in private where they are free from intimidation or coercion. We want to protect the rights of Missourians to continue to vote in private even if federal law changes.

Missouri Linked Deposit Program (HB 109)

Another bill approved this week would extend a highly successful low-interest loan program for farmers and small businesses. Under current law, the Missouri Linked Deposit Program is set to expire in December 2015. The bill we passed would remove that expiration date. The program works by depositing money in banks so they can provide low-interest loans to farmers and qualifying businesses. By making the program permanent we hope to give banks more certainty that they can continue to offer these low rates. Already the program has approved more than $550 million in loans and has positively impacted approximately 9,000 jobs and farmers in the past two years.

Visitors

Pictured left to right: Greg Wheelen, Chris Welsh, Jimmy Andela, Rep. Denison, Darrell Rader

On March 15, 2011, members of the Springfield Police Department and of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police were visiting legislators at the Capitol. Greg Wheelen, Chris Welsh, Jimmy Andela and Darrell Rader stopped by my office. I appreciate their visit, and I am grateful for the service they provide to the citizens of Springfield.

I look forward to hearing from you, and if you will be in Jefferson City, please stop by my office. If you ever questions have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Best wishes.