Thread by @CoMo_Kristin

Two #moleg House bills being heard now that would force more hidden, loaded guns on public buses and trains. Missouri is a permitless carry state--since 2017 we've had no requirement to have any kind of training or background checks to conceal carry. HB 1462 and 1660 require CCW.

Rep. Richard Brown--who rides KC buses regularly--questions sponsors, citing conversations with many fellow riders who want to be able to ride without people carrying guns on the bus. He's concerned about the application of this bill: more and more people carrying guns. #moleg

Sponsors suggest those riding buses will never know who's carrying a gun, scoffing at the idea looser gun laws have led to a wild west situation.
Missouri's gun death rate over time, sadly, says otherwise: it increased 70% from 2011-2020 in Missouri, vs. 33% nationally. #moleg

Western Missouri Shooters Alliance spokesperson, speaking in support of these bills, talks about bus riders as "criminals," then admits he has never ridden public transit. Rep. Brown pushes back at this characterization of regular, working Missourians who use the bus. #moleg

Many schoolchildren, elderly, and disabled use the bus and we should be working to keep our public transit safe, Brown says. #moleg
Next witness in support from outside Arnold picks up the line about an "endless" number of "criminals" who attack riders "with total impunity."

Man from Arnold admits in response to @Emily4Mo--who represents a district with diverse public transit--that he very rarely uses buses or MetroLink. Rep. Brown points out the voices being heard on this matter should be those who regularly use transit. #moleg

@Emily4Mo NRA's lobbyist testifies next in support of the two bills. He says the bill is also about being able to carry hidden, loaded guns at your workplace, other destinations. Answering @RepKeriIngle's question, he admits he lives in northern Virginia, using transit infrequently. #moleg

@Emily4Mo @RepKeriIngle CCW holder from Fenton offers testimony (repeating some of the same phrases heard earlier), says he does not carry his gun often with him but that people should be able to carry guns into St. Louis on public transit to the ballgame. #moleg

Next witness, a woman from rural area of Springfield, testifies "guns rights are women's rights" (an NRA slogan?) and asks the committee to support the "lifestyle" of carrying her gun everywhere. Though she says does not ever ride public transportation. #moleg

After exhausting all supporting witnesses, now opposition. Missouri Public Transit Association spokesperson says conceal carry permit holders are not the answer to providing safety for all riders. He cites renewed law enforcement efforts in St. Louis to provide safety. #moleg

GOP lawmaker asks unanswerable Q: Were there any crimes committed on public transit last year by CCW holders? By definition anyone carrying guns on a bus or train is committing a crime.
(My layperson understanding--Missouri police don't collect this data in any case??) #Moleg

More official spokespeople go on the record in opposition. KC spokesperson says most crimes were a connected to use of fare boxes--which have been eliminated.
People who ride buses do NOT want conceal carry, especially when crime trends are going in the right direction, he says.

In opposition, the KC Chamber of Commerce and the city of Kansas City spokesperson says he respects Second Amendment rights, has sold many guns himself --and that he uses public transit. All the KC people who use the system do NOT want to contend with anyone armed, he says #moleg

One of the bill sponsors, Rep. Schnelting, says he believes that it is no litmus test whether or not people use public transit. And that #moleg is not making laws to make people feel better.
Neither sponsor shares concern about whether these bills improve public safety.