Although the Missouri Su preme Court ruled it constitutional for citizens to carry concealed handguns, it also said Jackson County, along with three other counties, is not required to issue permits until funding is provided by the state or local governments. The latter part of the ruling came after the counties sued the state for passing a mandate without providing a way for it to be funded, which is unconstitutional.
Sheriff Deputy Ronda Montgomery said funding is needed to pay the extra personnel it would take to process the applications and permits.
During its last session, the state legislature took no action regarding the funding.
The Sheriff's Office requested the additional funding from the Jackson County Legislature during the 2004 budget hearings but was told no funds were available.
Ken Evans, spokesman for the county executive, said the county's budget is tapped out.
"It still remains an unfunded mandate," he said. "The county's position is it's a state mandate, and it should be funded by the state."
Evans said although some counties are funding the project, Jackson County won't follow suit.
"Other counties have chosen to dip into their already strapped funs, but Jackson County has not," he said.
Montgomery said the sheriff's office will make the request for the additional personnel again in the 2005 county budget.
"Our duty is to uphold the law, and if the law states this is what we are supposed to have happen, we need the people to enforce it," she said.
Rolland Emerett, a member of the Pioneer Gun Club in Independence and the National Rifle Association, said the permits would benefit the sheriff's department.
"It gives you more gun control," he said. "When you get a permit you have to know how to handle a gun. They also have the (gun user's) name and the serial number of the gun. If you don't have conceal and carry, how are you going to do that?"
Montgomery said the department will closely monitor Clay and Platte Counties as they implement their programs and re-evaluate their own plans as the year goes on. In the mean time, those who would like the department to receive the funding in 2005, Montgomery said, should contact their county and state legislatures.
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6/12/2004