As you might expect, among the first to trumpet the positive impact of this unnecessary legislation was the National Rifle Association, the only reason the bill existed in the first place:
"On behalf of Missouri NRA members and residents, I want to thank Governor Blunt for signing the 'Castle Doctrine' bill into law,” said Chris Cox, executive director for NRA Institute for Legislative Action in a statement. "Missourians are fortunate to have a Governor and state legislators who respect the right to self defense."
The signing took place just down the road, at Missouri Southern State University, and as the Joplin Globe's article points out, the governor was surrounded by area legislators and NRA members:
Supporters of the bill say it protects victims from lawsuits that could be generated from defending their home, but opponents say the bill could increase gun violence by encouraging people to use force when not necessary.
The Globe mentions the line that has been parroted by Goodman and Mrs. Ruestman- this nonsense about preventing lawsuit against those who protect their lives and property. Once again, I will note that the bill's supporters acted as if these lawsuits were an ongoing problem, but never showed that any such lawsuit has ever been filed.
Worse than that has been the shameful performance of the media. With all of the resources our major daily newspapers have at their beck and call, it would have been easy to find these lawsuits if they existed. As far as I can tell, the only person from the traditional media who tried to pin down anyone was Dave Catanese of KY3 News, who got Goodman to admit that no such lawsuit has ever been filed in southwest Missouri.
Though the bill was signed here in Joplin, I can't say it makes me feel any safer, but it should help the NRA in its fundraising drive, as it can show it still has some state legislators under its thumb.
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