By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – A St. Louis judge today made permanent an injunction on Missouri's conceal and carry gun legislation.
Judge Steven Ohmer accepted arguments from attorneys for the plaintiffs that lawmakers in 1875 intended to ban concealed weapons in the state constitution.
But State Representative Larry Crawford, the Republican who sponsored conceal and carry, said language matters more than intent.
"I think clearly the language of the constitution, which is what I am told the judges rely on, will be upheld," Crawford said. "The General Assembly certainly has had the authority to enact laws. We've been doing that for over 100 years."
St. Louis attorney Burt Newman requested the injunction on behalf of ten plaintiffs. He said 19th century legislative transcripts reveal lawmakers' reasoning.
"That intent is direct and consistent in finding that concealed weapons are prohibited," Newman said.
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon has asked the Missouri Supreme Court to rule on the case on an expedited basis.