Missouri Senate places firearms-on-transit bill on informal calendar amid debate

The Missouri Senate discussed Senate Bill 77, a proposal to modify rules for carrying firearms on public transit systems, and placed the measure on the informal calendar for future talks.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Adam Schnelting of Saint Charles, would change provisions relating to the carrying of firearms on public transit; an amendment to the measure would expand the state's castle doctrine, a change that drew opposition from several senators including Senator Carla May of Saint Louis.

Senator Adam Schnelting of Saint Charles, the bill sponsor, defended the proposal on the floor, saying, "You know, crime doesn't care about race, our financial status, our party affiliation. At some point or another, we all find ourselves in a situation where we have to defend ourselves."

An amendment to the bill that would expand the castle doctrine drew criticism from senators opposing the change. Senator Carla May of Saint Louis was among those identified as opposing the amendment; during debate a senator said, "Right. I can go ahead and just choo choo, kill you, and then that's it. And all I gotta do is say my life was threatened." The transcript identifies May as among the senators who opposed the amendment; no roll-call vote on the amendment or the bill was recorded in the transcript.

Senate Bill 77 was placed on the informal calendar for further discussion. Lawmakers completed the first half of the legislative session and moved into their annual mid-session recess; the Senate is scheduled to return to the Capitol on March 24. Reporting from the State Capitol, Dean Morgan.