Yes, I know the House and Senate members have only been pre-filling bills for the new session for a week, but, well, the Republican supermajority is really lowering the bar.
Oh, I expected a ton of pro-Covid legislation – and I haven’t been surprised. Multiple bills to weaken the power of voters are coming, along with a ton of gun bills. And, be sure to save your rotten tomatoes for Rush Limbaugh Day on January 12th.
Still, two early Senate contestants stand out…
Senate Bill 666, Eric Burlison, R – Greene County
The number fits: in his press release announcing the proposal, Burlison said he wanted to protect Missourians who find themselves in a Kyle Rittenhouse situation. Yes, he wrote the name. The bill creates a PRESUMPTION OF REASONABLENESS, meaning if you feel threatened you can use deadly force to “defend him or herself or a third person.” [Language from official summery.]
“This act provides that the defendant can raise a claim of self-defense during a pre-trial hearing in either a criminal or civil case which shall shift the burden on the party seeking to overcome the immunity by proof of clear and convincing evidence.” Of course, the bill presumes that the Kyle-like person believed their actions were reasonable and necessary. To overcome that belief is a pretty high wall.
Now, in the bill and press release the senator made an exception for police officers confronting someone. Alas, the text of the bill seems to invite a defense along the lines of ‘police shoot innocent people all the time and I was confronted with a cop threatening deadly force: I had to blow his head off.’
Even if the police protection somehow endures, the next 17 year old with an assault rifle firing into a crowd gets a free walk – in Missouri.
Our second player…
Senate Bill 946, Bill White, R – Jasper County
“This act establishes that there shall be minutemen of the state which shall be called into service by the governor for use in defense during a state of emergency with consent of two-thirds of the General Assembly.” Seems like a duplication of the National Guard, but, wait!
“Any legal Missouri resident who is eligible to be a legal firearm owner may voluntarily join the minutemen by enrolling with the Department of Public Safety…The list of enrolled minutemen with the Department is not subject to disclosure under law and shall not be shared or disseminated…All volunteers shall be required to secure themselves with firearms, firearm accessories…necessary to perform any duties assigned by the governor…All firearms and equipment of the minutemen shall not be subject to an[y] tax or registration requirements.”
So, His Accidency gets a secret police force available to do what he wants, where and when he wants so long as the legislature’s Republicans nod an okay. Plus, the minutemen’s gear – machine guns and mortars supposedly included – don’t get taxed or registered.
Remember last year’s Second Amendment Preservation Act? Such a clandestine armed force wouldn’t be possible if Missourians had to complete pesky federal gun purchase paperwork.
So, if you trust Mike Parson to do the right thing, sleep tight. Soon the governor’s personal secret police will be protecting you.
If not, well, remember you’re already living in Missouri. What’s a few more gun toting wannabee Q-anoners?
Glenn