That’s an Interesting Take Over Missouri Proposal

The media doesn’t like guns, gun rights, gun ownership, or anything beyond gun control. Sure, there are the odd exceptions here and there, but for the most part, that seems to hold true.

In some circles, it’s perfectly acceptable to write screeds that would be better suited for the op-ed page and pretend it’s actually hard news, so long as you’re taking a shot at the Second Amendment.

Which is why just reading the headlines is less than ideal.

Especially when it’s a headline that reads, “Missouri House Committee hears legislation expanding gun access.”

Before we get into what the article actually says, let’s note that in most places, the laws that dictate access to guns–meaning who can buy them lawfully–are laid out by federal law. Some states have additional rules, but Missouri isn’t one of them. Presenting a headline like this is either a blatant attempt at misdirection in order to get clicks–which, frankly, I get in this day and age–or a blatant misrepresentation designed to gin up outrage while knowing how many people only read the headlines.

Because what’s actually in the text of the piece isn’t represented by the headline at all.

Efforts to expand concealed carry provisions got a hearing in the Missouri House’s General Laws Committee late Tuesday as gun rights advocates continue efforts to remove gun ownership restrictions.

House Bill 328, introduced by Rep. Tim Taylor, R-Bunceton, would make several changes for concealed carry laws. Changes could include reducing the minimum age for a permit from 19 to 18 years old, requiring places of worship and public transportation to allow concealed carry, allowing individuals with certain violent criminal records to have a permit and giving exemptions to some concealed carry permit requirements to lawmakers, prosecutors and other government officials.

Supporters of the law, including members of various gun-rights groups, argued that giving people in traditionally “gun-free” zones opportunities to arm themselves would lead to a lower chance of mass shootings.

“If you’re a concealed carry permit holder — not any Tom, Dick or Harry — you’ve had some training,” said Carl Smart, vice president of the Western Missouri Shooters Association. “You walk to the bus stop: you’re legal. You get on the bus: you’re a criminal.”

That’s right. It’s a concealed carry bill, which has absolutely nothing to do with access to firearms.

Federal law still says adults under 21 can’t buy a handgun, so it doesn’t even help them bypass the background check for those kinds of weapons. Sure, they can present it to skip the NICS check for a rifle, but that’s not really that much of an “access” thing because all that means is people who could pass the background check will be getting guns.

The “certain violent criminal records” might give people pause, but again, let’s remember that access to guns is based on federal law. Missouri can’t just decide to arm violent felons. Those criminal records are going to be misdemeanors, which means they can still buy guns as it is. This just lets them get a permit.

If someone is a problem, they’re not going to jump through the hoops to get a permit in the first place.

All in all, I find the headline to be completely misrepresenting the piece itself, which isn’t that bad, all things considered.

But that headline, though…

Oof.