Sunday, April 5, 2009

A Moment with Mike for April 8th, 2009

State Representative Mike Thomson
This week we saw the introduction of House Bill 668 which expands the Castle Doctrine. The Castle Doctrine, passed last year, justifies the use of deadly force if someone unlawfully enters your home and you feel threatened. HB 668 expands the Castle Doctrine by including laws that protect your property – not just your home. The bill extends deadly force rights to land owners/leasers and eliminates the requirement to retreat from your property, which is beneficial for several reasons. It covers the base on something as simple as standing at your mailbox and being attacked by an intruder as well as cases such as cattle rustling or someone attempting to steal a piece of farm equipment. This would enable you to react confidently to protect yourself and others around you.
Additionally, HB 668 lowers the minimum age requirement for obtaining a concealed carry endorsement from 23 years of age to 21. At the age of 21, Missouri citizens have reached adulthood and been granted full rights. We expect citizens of this age to be responsible enough to own a gun and use it for protection if needed. Changing the age requirement will legally allow them to defend themselves should the occasion arise.
This legislation has been filed, passed out of committee and is expected to make its way to the floor for debate.
Two bills that passed through the House of Representatives this week were HB 381 and HB 681. House Bill 381 is designed to ensure a fair system for determining fee office contracts. Through this legislation we take a common sense approach to awarding the contracts. The bill gives priority to non-profit organizations, then to municipalities, counties, and fire protection districts, rather than to individuals who have been known to turn and donate these funds into political campaigns. Simply put, it will require our Department of Revenue to award fee office contracts that focus on Missouri’s best interest.
Finally, House Bill 681 improves Missouri law in regards to when an elected executive branch office (Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer) becomes vacant. The intent of HB 681 is to restore power to the public when choosing a replacement. It temporarily allows the Governor to administer the duties of the office but a special election would be scheduled to fill the vacancy. HB 681 is similar to the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. State legislatures originally had the power to select Senators to represent their state in Washington D.C. The 24th Amendment took that power from the legislators and gave the power to the people, where the power really belongs.
HB 681 is expanding voting rights for all Missourians. We feel that our citizens should vote for a replacement, especially since it is our initial right to begin with. The process of choosing an individual to state office should not be in the hands of just one person. It is time to bring that power back to you, the people.

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