The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would overhaul the state’s conceal carry process.
House Bill 859 would eliminate conceal carry endorsements in favor of conceal carry permits, which would be issued by county Sheriff’s offices instead of the Department of Revenue. It’s sponsored by State Representative Rick Brattin (R, Harrisonville).
“It (will protect) our constituents, every person in the state, all their important information that’s been scanned and sent away, it’ll put a stop to that," Brattin said. "It’ll remove the regulation, (the) red tape, (and) put it back in the hands of the local county sheriff.”
Currently, sheriff’s offices process the conceal carry applications and handle the background checks, then send applicants to their local DOR license fee office to get the actual card, which comes in the form of a red-lettered driver's license or a non-driver's license Conceal Carry Weapons endorsement. Opponents say an amendment eliminating renewal fees for conceal carry would cut into state revenues.
The bill needs one more vote before moving to the Missouri Senate.
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport
