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Victory for Missouri Children: Moms Thank Governor Nixon for Veto of Dangerous Guns-In-Schools Bill

July 14, 2014

Missouri Moms Organized Thousands of Calls, Petition Signatures For Veto; Call on Legislature to Ditch Dangerous Proposal in Upcoming Veto Session

The Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America today applauded Governor Jay Nixon for his veto of a dangerous guns-in-schools bill (SB 656) that would have forced Missouri cities to allow teenagers to carry loaded firearms in public, would have allowed school districts to arm teachers, and would have made it impossible for parents to find out if someone is carrying a concealed firearm in their children’s classrooms. The bill could be reconsidered during the legislature’s veto session this fall.

“As Missouri moms and dads who want to know our kids will be safe at school, we applaud Governor Nixon’s veto of this dangerous legislation — but we also know this fight isn’t over,” said Melissa Brooks of the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We call on our legislators to reject this dangerous bill because it never should have passed in the first place. Missourians know that asking a teacher to become a sharpshooter won’t prevent another tragedy like Newtown, and we believe that parents have the right to know if there is going to be a gun in our kids’ classrooms.”

The Missouri Chapter of Moms Demand Action called on Governor Nixon to veto this dangerous bill. In addition to organizing phone calls into the Governor’s office and helping to generate nearly 3,000 petition signatures urging Governor Nixon to veto, moms traveled to Jefferson City to testify against arming teachers and allowing teenagers to carry concealed, loaded weapons in public . In vetoing the bill today, Governor Nixon said, “I have supported and will continue to support the use of duly authorized law enforcement officers employed as school resource officers, but I cannot condone putting firearms in the hands of educators who should be focused on teaching our kids.”

Today’s veto of the guns-in-schools bill adds to the positive public safety steps taken in Missouri this session as a result of grassroots opposition organized by the Missouri Chapter of Moms Demand Action. In May, a nullification bill that would allow domestic abusers to sue police officers for enforcing federal gun laws (HB 1439) was successfully filibustered in the final moments of the Senate session.

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