Different Views

From Hayden Brown, NRA Instructor, Kirbyville, MO:

The NRA Institute for Legislative Action is wrong in their assessment of House Bill 2057.

Tomorrow, the Missouri House Committee on Emerging Issues is scheduled to hear House Bill 2057.  Sponsored by state Representative Mike Bernskoetter (R-59), HB 2057 specifies that no additional fee beyond $100 may be charged to process concealed carry permit applications.  

Please do not support HB 2057.  Although it limits the application fee to $100, it adds late fees and penalties when renewing.  As you may be aware, Sheriffs across the state are backlogged with applications and renewals and adding late fees would discourage renewals.  Like poll taxes, increased renewal fees would harm those most in need, and least able to absorb the increase in cost.

House Bill 2057 is wrong for Missouri!

I'm sure the Fairfax Über Alles crowd will be quick to attack this the same way they're attacking GOA over its rejection of the McAwful deal. And for the record, I'm not completely on board with that group's offered rationale.

My concern with the GOA approach is it briefly touches on but doesn't emphasize a more fundamental "due process" issue. We see in the recent Fourth Circuit panel decision the danger of treating 2A as some sort of lesser or inferior right. 

Here's what should matter and what should be insisted on:

Has the person been convicted of a crime?  Did he have a jury trial where he was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?

That's what matters to me. I consider it more important than asking some usurper for permission to claim what I'm entitled to.