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Closing the 'gun show loophole': Mo. legislators put guns on the agenda

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In the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, Missouri lawmakers will have competing gun proposals when they convene next month for the 2013 regular session.  They include one that would require background checks for anyone who buys a firearm at gun shows. 

Democratic House Member Stacey Newman of St. Louis plans to file the measure during the first few days of session.  She says gun shows are an easy source for anyone looking to buy assault weapons: “The majority of assault weapons that have been used in some of these horrendous, uh, particularly school shootings, are purchased through gun shows…it is legal to not have those background checks.”

And Newman says her proposal would close the so-called “gun show loophole” in Missouri: “Right now, federal background checks are only done through licensed dealers…because of that, that exempts gun shows where people can purchase unlimited amounts of weapons, including assault weapons.”

Newman says her proposed bill would also require background checks for firearm purchases made through the Internet. 

House Republicans are backing a proposal to allow teachers to carry guns at school if they already have a conceal-carry permit.  Missouri’s 2013 legislative session begins January 9th.

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
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