Endorsing the idea that self defense is a "natural born" right, more states are passing a law which allows citizens to concealed guns and firearms without a permit, according to The Washington Times.
On Sept. 15, Missouri became the fourth state to pass a legislature which made it legal for state residents to carry concealed weapons, in public, without a permit.
West Virginia, Mississippi and Idaho are the three other states who have adopted the law in 2016, taking the total number of states tally to 12.
"States that focus on freedom realize that if self-defense truly is a natural-born right, and the Second Amendment truly affirms that natural-born right, you shouldn't have to ask the government for permission to exercise it," said Tim Schmidt, president of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association in West Bend, Wis. "Kind of like you don't have to ask the government to exercise the First Amendment."
Missouri's law, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017, identifies 17 places — including churches, airports, sports arenas, courthouses, liquor stores, schools, hospitals and polling places on Election Day — where people can't carry guns.
However, Missouri Democrats have strongly opposed the law, calling it a "perfect storm" that would cause fatal shootings.
The Missouri wing of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety, too criticized the law that "makes Missouri the first new ‘stand your ground' state since Trayvon Martin's death."
While St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said the law "will leave [citizens] less safe, and make the job of law enforcement more difficult and put our officers in danger" Republican State Rep. Eric Burlison lauded it as a victory for citizens.
"Missourians have more freedom than they did yesterday," he said.
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