Rep. Chantelle Nickson-Clark

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri that protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and when assisting civil authorities. The amendment states that these rights are unalienable and requires any restrictions on them to meet a high legal standard known as strict scrutiny, while explicitly allowing laws that disarm convicted violent felons and individuals deemed a danger due to mental health issues. Local governments, including counties and the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City, are authorized to create their own ordinances regulating firearm possession, carrying, and transfers within their boundaries, provided these rules include specific limits on permit fees, validity periods, and penalties. The proposed text also mandates that local regulations must recognize permits issued by a person's county of residence and must exempt certain groups such as active law enforcement officers, judges, and licensed security guards.