Concealed carry permits in sheriff's hands in 2014

"Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds." -- John Perry Barlow.

Not long ago many Missouri residents became very upset after learning that the Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles had collected data on people obtaining CCW information and reportedly turned the data over to the Highway Patrol which then shared it on two separate occasions with federal authorities. Some news agencies reported that a list of 185,000 names of Missouri CCW holders had been put on a CD and given to the Highway Patrol. This prompted Missouri legislators to take action and on July 12, Gov. Nixon signed SB 75 into law requiring the county sheriff to handle the CCW process and issue the permit from the sheriff's office without involving the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill summary states, "under current law, a person seeking to carry concealed firearms must apply to the sheriff for a certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement. Upon the issuance of the certificate, the person must then present the certificate to the Department of Revenue, which issues a driver's license or non-driver's license with a concealed carry endorsement. This act repeals the provisions requiring the person to present the certificate to the Department of Revenue for a driver's license or non-driver's license with a concealed carry endorsement." The new law states that the sheriff will authorize the person to carry concealed firearms. And issue the permit himself. This will now leave the safety of CCW holder's names with the county sheriff.

The second amendment says "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." I believe this right under our constitution is one of the most important rights we have and should be protected at all costs. People should be able to carry a firearm for the protection of their families without being in fear of the federal government obtaining lists of people who wish to exercise that right. Why do they need such a list in the first place? It was Thomas Jefferson who said "The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."

The new CCW process will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014. To obtain a CCW permit after that date, a person must take a CCW class from a certified instructor, pay the processing fee at the sheriff's office (this includes running finger print background checks) and then pick up their permit from the sheriff's office once the background check has been completed. The citizens of Vernon County can be assured that no information regarding CCW permits will be shared with anyone.