Thread by @CoMo_Kristin

Back at #moleg early this morning for a Senate hearing on SB666, a dangerous and unnecessary expansion of Stand Your Ground law in Missouri. Looking forward to hearing lots of powerful testimony—and then whatever it is that the gun lobby is here to say. @momsdemand

Under current law, law-abiding Missourians have the right to self-defense, including with means of deadly force. However, Stand Your Ground laws encourage armed vigilantism by allowing a person to shoot and kill another person in public even when they can walk away safely #moleg

I'm here to offer testimony for Missouri @MomsDemand. We don’t need a law that not only gives people the right to seek out dangerous situations, then shoot first, ask questions later--but this serves to dismantle the practice of due process in our criminal justice system. #moleg

The bill sponsor opens by asserting that Missouri currently has in law the strongest version of castle doctrine, saying SB 666 gives the presumption of "reasonableness" to shooters--with the exception of shooting at law enforcement officers. #moleg

First in support is Mark McCloskey of St. Louis, who recounts the incident he's become known for at his home, saying none of the 300-500 people who were near his property have been charged with a crime, but that he and his wife have been. He refers to a "Soros funded" prosecutor

He says he is no longer being charged with felonies and has been pardoned by Gov. Parson.
Questioned by Sen. Williams about the "wild west" McCloskey says this is a matter of "criminals" and protecting "honest citizens." #moleg

This may be the worst bill he's seen, Sen. Williams replies; this bill is an attack on me and people who look like me. "This bill is complete bullshit," he says, and refers to the violence in Georgia and Minnesota. #SB666 #moleg

Williams suggests if SB666 passes we will see armed extremists here, much the way the insurrectionists attacked our nation's capitol.
What about the folks who stormed my house, McCloskey says. #moleg

McCloskey says when the sh*t hits the fan, you cannot rely on police. He says they did not arrive when he needed them. #moleg #SB666

If this bill passes, we are putting all our lives in danger, says Sen. @BrianWilliamsMO, alluding to the political violence in Washington.

Williams calls out McCloskey for campaigning in #moleg via his testimony today. The protest that went by McCloskey's house was made up of students, clergy, and people demonstrating--as is their right, he says.
McCloskey asserts the "mob" threatened to rape and kill and burn.

Asked whether he supports law enforcement and why law enforcement would oppose #SB666 McCloskey says "law enforcement supports me" and says that they must not understand the bill. #moleg

Sen. Greg Razer follows with questions: so you've said it is our god-given right to protect ourselves. "Who would Jesus shoot?" he asks.
McCloskey says unfortunately we are not perfect like Christ. St. Louis Police are "under siege" and that's why he supports #SB666. #moleg

Next in support of #SB666 is the Missouri Firearms Coalition's lobbyist, Alexendra Salsman. She lists ways that Stand Your Ground immunity needs to be strengthened and rules about brandishing need to be clarified. #moleg

Salsman says, "the world watched in awe" at what happened with the McCloskeys, thinking that Missouri was a strong 2A state, and that is why Missouri Firearms Coalition advocates for this bill. #moleg
More on MOFC: news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-…

First person testifying in opposition is the Russ Oliver, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney who represents the Missouri prosecuting attorneys. Their association is united against this bill; he says it shifts the burden for defendants. #SB666 #moleg

Oliver enumerates issues for defendants and prosecutors in his 2 minutes.
In response to Sen. Williams' questions, the prosecutor responds that he calls SB666 the Make Murder Legal Act.
"It's racist, it's hateful," it makes police officers' jobs difficult Williams says. #moleg

If this bill had been law in Georgia, Ahmaud Arbery's murderers would've walked free, Williams says.
"When did we become the enemy" in this building, Oliver asks (directed at the bill sponsor). With this law, every single assault is automatically self defense, he says. #moleg

Violent crime is largely connected to organized criminal activity in Missouri. If every assault involves a pre-trial hearing, think how much harder it'll be to get witnesses to cooperate. Crimes will go unprosecuted, Oliver says--in response to questions from Sen. Bean. #moleg

Shawn Rhodes, representing Missouri Sheriffs Association, speaks in opposition.
The spokesperson for Missouri and KC fraternal order of police also speaks to oppose the bill. #moleg

Rod Chapel of Missouri NAACP speaks in opposition, saying the bill's aptly named (SB 666). Missouri is the 1st state to have an NAACP travel advisory because of dangers to Black people. He cites many Missouri deaths and on the pain for victims' families. This legalizes murder.

More speakers in opposition: recent past head of Missouri prosecutors association, spokesperson for Missouri Baptists, Rabbi Daniel Bogard of Central Reform congregation in St. Louis. #moleg

His testimony is deeply moving. And you can read it here.

https://twitter.com/ravbogard/status/1488343936682835968

Following the spokesperson for Missouri police chiefs in opposition is Rev. Darryl Gray of Missouri Faith Voices. He was present that day as an organizer and recounts the peaceful protest that encountered the McCloskeys. #moleg

Let’s not make this about Black Missourians—it’s about all of us, Rev. Gray says. This country is a powder keg and these kinds of bills are the matches.

Rev. Phil Duvall, who speaks for Missouri Baptists too, describes burying many in his community because of violence. This bill will just escalate that number. #moleg #sb666

Speaking next is John King, accompanied by his family, whose 28-year old son Justin was recently shot and killed in Crawford County. Nightmare. His son’s killer has had no charges filed, because the shooter who has a long violent record claims self defense. No justice. #moleg

We are running up against the end of the hearing, so the Missouri @MomsDemand testimony I offered was brief. I was unable to share the data: Stand your ground laws are associated with increases in homicide rates resulting in more than 150 additional gun deaths each month. #moleg

Moreover, the justifiable homicide rates increased by 55 percent in states that enacted Stand Your Ground, while these rates increased by 20 percent in states that did not have such laws. #moleg #sb666
Read more from this @Everytown report: everytownresearch.org/report/stand-y…

The hearing on #SB666 ended with further brief testimony: from PROMO as well as several additional, powerful voices from Jewish, United Church of Christ, and Methodist faith communities—all opposed. @jcrcstl @PROMOMissouri #moleg