Missouri House leader rejects gun violence proposals on tap for 2020

By Kurt Erickson


JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri lawmakers won’t return to the Capitol until next month, but the future speaker of the House slammed the door on gun violence proposals being floated by Democrats.

In a statement issued Thursday, House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo said he favors tougher sentencing laws for violations of state firearms laws, but opposes laws that “infringe” upon the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

“I think it’s important that we look at making our laws something that would-be criminals will fear and respect,” wrote Vescovo, a Jefferson County Republican. “During the 2020 session we will again look for solutions that keep guns out of the hands of criminals while also protecting the gun ownership rights of the good people of Missouri.”

Vescovo’s comments don’t come as a surprise given the Republican-led Legislature’s prior support for gun rights, but gun violence has become a major issue in St. Louis after more than a dozen minors were killed this year.

Read more: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-house-leader-rejects-gun-violence-proposals-on-tap-for/article_238d804f-6d05-5fb0-b0a9-35f0bed744a4.html