Bill Hardwick

Rep. Crystal Quade has been the leader of Missouri House Democrats since 2018.

The ordinance would stop the open carry of firearms without a concealed carry permit. A similar proposal, which would have barred minors from carrying a firearm in public without adult supervision, failed to gain ground in the state legislature this year.

The Waynesville Republican also discussed efforts to make Missouri’s Constitution more difficult to amend.

The establishment of the new department comes after nearly 50 years of the Missouri National Guard being part of the Department of Public Safety.

While the Republican representative says the Missouri House is passing bills to the Senate like a “T-shirt cannon,” he also believes the Senate’s more deliberative pace is part of its job.

Legal action from Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office may be the route Missouri takes, as opposed to passing legislation to fight vaccine mandates.

State Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Waynesville, talks about his approach to the legislative process — and the debate over the Second Amendment Preservation Act.