MO: No background checks before permits...

[MrBenchley]

Remember, Missouri's voters were offered a chance to vote on this idiotic scheme...and rejected it.

"The police chief of Hallsville issued concealed weapons permits to people who had not cleared criminal background checks, saying state law requires him to do so if the checks are not done within 45 days.
Police Chief Pete Herring said more than 40 people are eligible for the permits because they applied March 19, more than the 45 days ago.
"I'm working within the confines of the law," Herring said Monday. "If it was up to me, no one would get a permit until they are cleared."
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is doing background checks on more than 4,500 gun permits applicants, said Capt. Chris Ricks. Most of the checks are done within a couple weeks, but Ricks said it has been difficult to get information from the Boone County court system about Hallsville applicants.
Boone County's electronic court records system was not adaptable to the patrol's computer system until recently, Ricks said, so the patrol had to determine the disposition of Hallsville with manual searches and phone calls."

http://www.csgv.org/news/headlines/ap5_4_04.cfm

[alwynsw]

1. A bit misleading on the header, Mr. B

Sorry for the sheriff's troubles, but the law IS the law. It would seem that it would be wise for him to assign an extra deputy or two to clear up the backlog.

[MrBenchley]

3. Not a bit...

It's an idiotic law...and shows graphically that Missouri voters were right to reject this feeble-minded dishonest scheme.

[MrSandman]

5. If a check comes back bad...

I bet the permits are pulled.

on edit...
"571.117. 1. Any person who has knowledge that another person, who was issued a certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121, never was or no longer is eligible for such endorsement under the criteria established in sections 571.101 to 571.121 may file a petition with the clerk of the small claims court to revoke that person's certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement and such person's concealed carry endorsement. The petition shall be in a form substantially similar to the petition for revocation of concealed carry endorsement provided in this section. Appeal forms shall be provided by the clerk of the small claims court free of charge to any person:

http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/C500-599/571000011...
...s


BTW, I wonder how long it takes check the status of driver's criminal history during traffic stops?

About 3 minutes here.

[MrBenchley]

6. That will be a comfort

to anyone who gets shot...

[slackmaster]

7. Let's all take a deep breath and profile the person we're afraid of here

Someone who already owns a handgun, intends or has a propensity to commit a violent crime with the gun, does not have a concealed-weapons permit, has something in his or her background that will disqualify him or her from getting a permit, and for some bizarre reason applies for a permit.



This individual very likely KNOWS that the permit application will ulitmately be denied AND that any past blemish that disqualifies you from getting a permit will also disqualify you from owning a handgun in the first place. So by submitting an application for a concealed-weapons permit this person is setting himself or herself up to be busted for having a weapon illegally.

From the CSGV page:

"The problem is, you could be issuing a permit to a felon, to a person convicted of spouse abuse; you don't know," said the attorney, Richard C. Miller of Kansas City. "It seems to me it could be dangerous."

That's right Mr. Miller. You could be issuing a CCW permit to a person who is disqualified by state and federal law from having a gun in the first place.



OK, so our hypothetical schizoid or idiot convicted felon or spouse abuser submits the application anyway, and 45 days later a permit is issued while the county is still mithering its way through its own court records and those of the state, and whatever sources are checked in Missouri.

"Great!", the now holder of what appears to be a valid CCW permit exclaims. "Now I can put the gun in my pocket legally before I go rob the liquor store or shoot up the church. This piece of paper makes it SO much easier for me to be a violent criminal."

Am I the only one here who sees something desperately wrong with this scenario?

[MrSandman]

8. Be kind of hard to get from the safe to the...

holster legally for that person who is disqualified by state and federal law from having a gun in the first place.

[FeebMaster]

2. One more reason not to require a permit at all. (nt)

[slackmaster]

4. But if they have a handgun their background has already been checked

You have to get a permit to purchase a handgun in Missouri.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/state/viewstat...

And having a concealed-weapons permit does not exempt you from getting your background checked when you buy a gun

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/bradylaw/permit_chart.htm

But we shouldn't let facts get in the way of a good story, eh MrBenchley?

BTW - Don't try to pull a "gun show loophole" rejoinder on this one. That's covered. See http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/state/viewstat...