Here is the bottom line.
Today, at this very moment, you and I can exert our RIGHT to "bear arms" in Missouri.
IF need be, it is much easier and less costly to defend a RIGHT, than a privilege. RIGHTS are inalienable, absolute, enumerated and categorical.
This raises the probability of a victorious court battle significantly.
Privileges, on the other hand, granted through legislation, are fluid and subject to easy and numerous changes, thus lowering the probability of a victorious court battle.
You surely will run into the bogus "compelling state interest" argument, which will be the nail in the coffin to your court battle to defend a privilege.
You are still begging for a privilege from the MO legislature and you cannot exert that privilege and if you do exert the privilege before it is granted you will not be able to defend that action, constitutionally and will surely lose.
Go ahead, knock yourself out using your energy and political capital on a privilege versus a right, which is as about as stable as a foundation built on sand.
If the a conceal carry law ever does become enacted in MO, I will never apply for the privilege.
When you do, you have just registered your firearm for future confiscation.
When you do, you have just registered your firearm for future confiscation.
Did you not realize that any time you purchase a firearm in Missouri, that "permit to purchase" is RETAINED by the sheriff?
We already have gun registration. Most folks just don't realize it.
As far as registration and seizure goes, wasn't it you who advised me to send letters to all the LEOs, advising them I intend to exercise my right to carry? If the day of gun seizures ever comes, you don't think that'll mark you out as the first gun nut to be visited by the SWAT team?