Riddle bill, co-sponsored by 61 Republicans, would allow legislators to pack heat in Capitol

If Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, has her way, she and other state legislators with conceal-carry permits can begin packing heat in the state capitol.

Whether she feels this is necessary because of the legislation she and her fellow House members have been pushing during this legislative session is not spelled out in the bill, of course.

Apparently, she is not the only one who sees the need to carry protection since the bill, HB 778, has 61 co-sponsors,all Republicans,including Speaker of the House Steve Tilley, Majority Leader Tim Jones, and Joplin-area legislators Bill White, Joplin; Charlie Davis, Joplin, Bill Lant, Joplin; and Bill Reiboldt, Neosho.

Printed below is the portion of the bill that would change current state law:

Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude a member of the general assembly, a full-time employee of the general assembly employed under section 17, article III, Constitution of Missouri, legislative employees of the general assembly as determined under section 21.155, or statewide elected officials and their employees, holding a valid concealed carry endorsement, from carrying a concealed firearm in the state capitol building or at a meeting whether of the full body of a house of the general assembly or a committee thereof, that is held in the state capitol building;

Now this kind of law should really bring business to Missouri.