Second Amendment rights have been an issue that I have always been passionate about. I strive to serve my constituents through maintaining their right to keep and bear firearms. As we enter into a new year, I wanted to develop legislation that would help improve upon that right. Upon drafting Senate Bill 745, my general goal was to modify the statutes regarding concealed carry permits.

Under current law, sheriffs are required to report permit holder information to the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES). The overall aim of Senate Bill 745 is to change who that information is reported to and to whom it can be distributed. The change would call for sheriffs to report information about permit holders and their permits to the Missouri Sheriff Methamphetamine Relief Task Force (MoSMART). Due to last year’s information breach by the federal government, this act would insure that information reported could only be accessed by a sheriff on an individual permit-by-permit basis.

The question of what the information will be used for has crossed several constituents’ minds. The information will be accessed by sheriffs to carry out particular duties including: issuing and changing permits and their information; verifying permit holders’ information; and suspending, revoking or canceling a permit.

Another concern that has been raised by constituents is the notification of a suspended or revoked permit. Under this act, the sheriff will notify the permit holder of a suspended or revoked permit. It is the responsibility of the carrier to ensure that his or her permit is current and has not reached expiration. Under current law, when a permit is six months past expiration, the permit is then revoked.

My overall goal is to help protect Missourians’ Second Amendment rights. As U.S. citizens, we are privileged to have the right to bear arms. If you choose to actively practice your right through obtaining a concealed carry permit, that information should be protected and remain private. By implementing the new system, my hope is that your information will be better protected from outside entities and your God-given right will be safeguarded.

Furthermore, as we progress into session, there will be a surplus of important issues considered and voted on. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns you might have about legislation.