Rick Stream's Concealed Concerns

Yesterday, the House gave final approval to HB 668 to make several changes to state law regarding the use and possession of firearms.  The most controversial portion of the legislation would allow concealed weapons on college campuses. The attempts to remove the campus ban have been widely condemned by college officials, but the amendment to end the ban enjoyed strong support with legislators and passed 106-41.

One of the most vocal supporters of the amendment to end the campus concealed weapons bans last week was Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood). Indeed, Stream was such a strong believer in ending concealed weapons bans that he audaciously discussed last year's Kirkwood City Council shooting as an example of how concealed weapons could save lives. Talking about the shooting with Rep. Tim Jones (R-Eureka), Stream speculated that if the mayor or other citizens at the meeting had guns, "it's possible that they could have stopped a number of the killings before the assailant was able to run through that chamber like he did."

With that vote and debate in mind, it was very surprising to see Stream's name among the 50 legislators who voted against HB 668 when it came up for final approval yesterday.  Stream is already on record supporting the controversial campus provision and invoking the Kirkwood shooting to explain his vote -- and now on the record voting against the final version of the bill.  Perhaps the flip-flop was an an attempt to provide some cover for last week's actions. Or maybe he had an honest change of heart. 

Either way, I'm sure his constituents are anxious to hear an explanation.