Members of Women's Voices are concerned about access to guns, concealed weapons and family violence exacerbated by guns.

Our Position

First, who should have access to guns?
Certainly, police should never have to worry about being out-gunned by more heavily armed citizens. In addition, our military, FBI and CIA keep us safe and secure by their ability to carry weapons. But guns and ammunition do not belong in the hands of children who often don't understand the gun's potential for true harm. In between authorities who need guns and children who find guns fascinating is a confusing area: who actually needs a gun, and who simply wants one.

The National Rifle Association has used enormous political power to oppose gun restrictions in all circumstances. Members of Women's Voices believe there are common-sense ways to control guns. One good way might be to have a central listing of all guns matched to their owners, and numbered ammunition.

Second, who should carry concealed weapons, where should they be allowed to carry them, and why would they need to conceal them?
Missouri currently allows citizens over age 23 to carry concealed weapons into various businesses and public places. Some State Legislators want to lower this age to 21. While this seems a harmless change, those extra two years of maturity may mean the difference between life and death for some. Under legislation that actually passed in the Missouri House in 2009, people with permits to carry concealed weapons could bring guns onto public college campuses (a proposal roundly condemned by most college administrators).

Third, family violence tends to increase during economic downturns.
Adding guns to precarious family situations endangers the weakest in those families. While the second amendment supports the right of individuals to own guns, we believe that it is the duty of the gun owner to keep guns locked, ammunition and guns separated in the home, and both out of children's reach.

For further study:
The Center for Gun Policy and Research is dedicated to reducing gun-related injuries and deaths through the application of a public health perspective and sound research into the issue of gun violence prevention. It proposes ideas such as "personalized" guns which can only be operated by the owner. Investigation into the cause and prevention of gun injuries and fatalities by this respected group provides an interesting follow up study. http://www.jhsph.edu/gunpolicyhttp://www.jhsph.edu/gunpolicy

Women's Voices encourages all of its members to contact their Senators and Representatives and urge them to close the gun show "loophole" (which allows anyone to buy a gun). We believe our national policy should be "no background check, no gun, no excuses."