JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released a new poll revealing that 86 percent of Missouri voters support requiring a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public. The results of the poll, for which residents of gun-owning households made up more than half of all respondents, come just weeks before the Missouri legislature heads back to Jefferson City for a veto override session in September where it's expected the legislature may vote on whether to override Gov. Nixon's June veto of SB 656.
The poll, conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, also indicates that 63 percent of Missouri voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to eliminate Missouri's permitting requirement. Full poll results can be found here.
In June, Governor Nixon vetoed SB 656, a dangerous gun bill that would eliminate Missouri's concealed carry permit requirement and let some violent criminals, repeat drunk drivers, drug criminals, and people with no firearm safety training carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. SB 656 would also upend Missouri self-defense law and allow people to shoot to kill in public places, even when there is a clear and safe alternative. The bill would make Missouri the first new Stand Your Ground state since the death of Trayvon Martin.
During the legislative session this spring, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released a television ad urging Missouri lawmakers to reject SB 656. In addition to the ad, the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action drove hundreds of calls in to legislators' offices urging opposition to permitless carry, Stand Your Ground, and guns-on-campus bills, and also testified in the House and Senate.