The Missouri House has preliminarily approved sweeping measures that would expand gun rights in the state and allow certain school officials to carry concealed weapons in school buildings.
The bill would allow appointed "protection officers" to carry concealed weapons as long as they have a valid permit and register with the state Department of Public Safety. The officers would also be required to complete a training course established by the peace officer training commission.
Missouri House Democrats are expressing concerns about a proposal to increase the state sales tax by a penny to boost funding for transportation projects.
Senators last month approved a proposed a 1-cent sales tax that would generate nearly $8 billion over a decade to fund state and local transportation projects.
The tax would require voter approval and would go back on a statewide ballot after 10 years.
The Missouri House has approved legislation barring state or local officials from adopting policies outlined in a 1992 United Nations document that could affect private property rights.
The Missouri House has advanced legislation guaranteeing state workers the right to keep firearms in their vehicles on state property when they're on the job.
