The pressure builds: Stream's concealed weapons flip-flop

Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) is being criticized by both sides back home for his contradictory votes on allowing concealed weapons on college campuses.

As reported here at Fired Up! and at Show Me Progress two weeks ago, Stream voted against the final version of the HB668 to allow concealed weapons on campuses. However, his vote against the full bill came after he voted for the controversial amendment to allow weapons on campus with a permit, and after he suggested that concealed weapons would have limited the deaths at the tragic Kirkwood City Council meeting last year.

Late last week, Webster-Kirkwood Times columnist Don Corrigan wrote that our audio of Stream's statements on the Kirkwood shooting "prompted a number of letters" of concern. Stream refused to respond to the Times' inquiries, but did win praise for reversing his position from Stacey Newman:

I am pleased that Rep. Stream was one of three Republicans who voted against a bill that's just wrong...Since voters in his district were 80 percent against concealed weapons, it's good that he has chosen to listen to them.

In contrast, the conservative Kurt Hofman, writing for Examiner.com, is angry with Stream's change of heart.

Missouri State Rep. Rick Stream can't make up his mind about 'gun free zones'

There was a time when Missouri State Representative Rick Stream (R-94th District) seemed to have a pretty good idea about the dangers of mandated defenselessness...

Unfortunately, that commitment turns out to have been rather weak, as made evident by his being one of only three Republicans in the Missouri House of Representatives to vote against Missouri HB 668 (a very pro-self-defense bill, which would, among other things, lift the "defense free zone" status of college campuses in Missouri--I discussed it here).  HB 668 passed easily (105-50) in the House (no thanks to Rep. Stream), and now goes to the Senate.

Why, I wonder, is Rep. Stream willing to respect the right of elected officials to have the means to defend their lives, but is equally willing to see that right denied to responsible, peaceable college students and faculty?

Attempts to reach Stream for comment were unsuccessful this week, but he did send a letter to the Times emphasizing his vote against HB668, which included the provision to allow concealed carry on college campuses. He provided his e-mail, rick.stream@house.mo.gov for anyone interested in discussing his vote.

I suggest we take him up on that offer of discussion.  I know I certainly intend to.

It's a good thing that Stream recognized the overwhelming opposition from campus administrators and public safety officers, and changed his mind. But he's going to have a hard time if he keeps trying to have it both ways on the issue.