“Here in Missouri, responsible gun ownership and support for the Second Amendment are strongly held values,” Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon said on Monday. Nixon’s lip service to the Second Amendment, however, was just that as the governor vetoed Senate Bill 656 on Sunday—legislation that would have permitted anyone legally allowed to possess a firearm to carry a firearm for self-defense without a permit.
“With this veto, Gov. Nixon proves he is more concerned about scoring political points with out-of-state gun-control groups than securing the safety of law-abiding Missourians,” said Lacey Biles, director of NRA State and Local Affairs.
Leaders of the Missouri General Assembly predict an override. “This issue was a priority with our caucus and passed the Senate by an overwhelming vote,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe. “I fully expect that we will override the governor’s veto in September when we reconvene for our annual veto session.”
