Holding MO Lawmakers Accountable

Missouri representatives should focus on representing the wishes of their constituents and not on their own agendas or the agenda of the gun lobby. On March 1, over 1,000 local mothers and other concerned citizens made their voices heard at a monthly Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America meeting in St. Louis. There are 12 more chapters of Moms Demand Action across the state in urban and rural areas. All these people are ready to take action together to make our representatives support gun violence prevention and pass common sense gun laws to protect our children in our schools, neighborhoods and homes.

At the same time, in Jefferson City, Republicans are pushing for dangerous legislation to loosen Missouri’s already relaxed gun laws. HB 1936 is moving through committee, a law that would force colleges and universities to allow hidden, loaded handguns on campuses, as well as allow civilians to carry concealed guns in private K-12 schools and daycare centers. As a mother and as a citizen, this both scares and angers me. Teachers and school safety experts such as the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association oppose allowing guns in schools.

The fact that this legislation is even being considered by the people we’ve entrusted to represent us is appalling. But not only is this legislation being considered, it’s been pushed forward despite loud opposition in the form of overwhelming and growing support for common sense gun reform. In February over 400 people lobbied in Jefferson City specifically to oppose HB 1936. Missouri lawmakers need to start representing the people who elected them, or they will find themselves out of a job.