THE EVOLUTION OF GUN LAWS How the Heck Did We Get Here? Jennifer M. Joyce Vera Causa Group, LLC

MISSOURI PRE-STATEHOOD GUN LAWS • Louisiana Purchase in 1803 • 1818 – • Missouri’s first weapons law, prohibiting slaves from possessing guns, • and allowing whites to take guns from slaves. EARLY STATEHOOD EXTERMINATION ORDER • 1820 – Missouri becomes a state • 1838 – ”Extermination Order” mandating the expulsion of from the state • by any means necessary • including deadly force • 1976 - Extermination Order rescinded Gov. • with an apology on behalf of the Governor Lilburn Boggs state. 1836-1840 CIVIL WAR TIMES

• 4,000 pro-confederate guerrilla fighters • Government officials responded to the violence with various firearm restrictions, none was effective. • It took 60,000 Union troops to stop the violence William T. Anderson aka “Bloody Bill” MISSOURI BANS CONCEALED WEAPONS • Post-Civil War lawlessness led to vigilantism • In 1874, bans concealed weapons in limited areas • In 1875, the state bans all concealed weapons • This ban will stand for 128 years FAST FORWARD 124 YEARS… PROPOSITION B IN 1999 PROPOSITION B FAILS THANKS TO URBAN VOTERS 2003: IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED….

• The Missouri Legislature passes HB 349, which was sponsored by 84 of the 162 members of the State House • Governor vetoed the legislation • September 11, 2003 – Legislature overrides Holden’s veto….barely EARLY RESTRICTIONS ON MISSOURI CONCEALED CARRY

• 23 and older • Application with Sheriff • Meet qualifications • Concealed weapons banned in many areas such as police stations, schools, churches, day-care centers 2006: CASTLE DOCTRINE • Citizens can use lethal force as self defense • Removes duty to retreat • Ties prosecutors hands 2007: NO PERMIT NEEDED TO PURCHASE A FIREARM

• Missouri had a permit-to- purchase handgun law requiring a background check • The legislature repealed this in 2007, which facilitated easier access to guns for all types of people. • Researchers credit this repeal with adding 49 to 68 more homicides per year in the state. 2013 –ATTEMPTS TO NULLIFY FEDERAL FIREARMS REGULATIONS

• Nullify Feds • Governor Nixon vetoed it as unconstitutional due to the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution • Continues to be a goal. 2014: MINIMUM AGE FOR CARRY CONCEALED REDUCED TO 19

• Legal carry and conceal age went from 23 to 21 to 19 years old • Law allows certified school employees to carry guns on campus • Gov vetoed, but was overridden • It’s still illegal to drink before 21 JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT COULDN’T GET WORSE • 2016 “Stand Your Ground” removed duty to retreat in public places • 2017 = “permitless” carry • Still illegal for domestic violence offenders and felons • Governor veto was overridden • NRA: “A great day for freedom in Missouri” WHAT’S NEXT? WE’VE COME FULL CIRCLE

• Missouri’s gun laws are pretty much as they were at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. • Let’s hope we don’t have to repeat all of our bloody history before they are changed back. Susan C. Ryan Corporate Executive 1992 – 2000 Consultant 2000 – Present [email protected] Jennifer M. Joyce St. Louis Circuit Attorney 2000 – 2016 Consultant 2017 [email protected]