I support our Second Amendment, and I proudly exercise mine, but we have a serious problem with gun violence in our state and country. I think that fact is not disputed. Senate Bill 181 and House Bill 185 would protect gun owners and law-enforcement officers from circumstances beyond their control — circumstances that would put gun owners and others at risk when individuals do not report their guns as lost or stolen.
These bills are not attacks on gun owners. Rather these bills would provide the armor to protect gun owners — and others — from firearms that have gotten in the hands of dangerous individuals. Moreover, these bills’ provisions would protect gun owners from crimes committed by their lost or stolen firearms.
I believe it is essential for the National Rifle Association to protect its members by supporting these bills and prioritizing our duty to protect not only ourselves but also our fellow citizens.
In the United States, more than one gun is stolen every minute — more than 600,000 stolen guns annually. This alarming number of stolen firearms puts everyone in danger, including responsible gun owners like myself. The purpose of this legislation is to stop people from negligent gun storage and to discontinue promoting the illegal sale of guns. Gun safety and negligent gun use must be addressed, and I believe this bill will do that while still keeping Missourian’s Second Amendment rights intact.
As a legislator, It is my obligation to protect the people and I would hope that your association would share this priority. My hope is that through these bills I can bridge the gap between your association and my community’s goals to protect the victims of crimes committed with lost and stolen firearms, and the safety and integrity of all gun owners. Stolen guns disproportionately affect my district in so many ways, from those who use them to those who are victims.
We need to address the underlining issues of gun-violence, but this isn’t an issue that can be fixed with a silver bullet. I am both proud and excited to have created a piece of legislation that truly works to dually promote gun safety and gun rights of Missourians.
I came to the Missouri House to build bridges and create unlikely relationships, because those relationships develop the strongest legislation. I pre-filed this bill long before being held at gunpoint, because I truly believe that it is an important piece of legislation that will make Missourians safer while guaranteeing them their due rights. As I continue my time here in the Missouri House, I welcome groups like the NRA and other gun rights activists to come talk to me about my legislation. It is important that we communicate about the best way to improve Missouri, while still securing the rights of its citizens.
State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis) represents the 78th House District in the Missouri Legislature.
