NCJ Number
162342
Journal
Governing Volume: 9 Issue: 5 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 33-35
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The passage of concealed weapons legislation in Missouri and other States has taken on an aura of inevitability; provisions of Missouri's legislation include background checks and firearms training, specially marked license plates, and the requirement that anyone carrying a concealed weapon carry $100,000 in liability insurance in case the weapon is misused.
Abstract
The Missouri law enforcement coalition follows a pattern in many other States that have passed concealed weapon laws over the past 10 years. Twenty-eight States have "shall issue" concealed weapons laws requiring that applicants be issued a permit unless there is something specific to disqualify them. Fourteen other States have "may issue" laws that leave it up to the discretion of law enforcement to issue permits. Florida has the longest track record in concealed weapons legislation, issuing more than 306,000 licenses and revoking 613 for various reasons. The debate over the effectiveness of concealed weapons laws in deterring crime is examined, and legislative activities designed to curb the possession of concealed weapons in public places are noted.