http://www.mydjconnection.com/articles/2003/09/17/community/news2.txtMeeting the requirements of the new law that goes into effect Oct. 11 will not be difficult, said Sheriff Dan Bullock, but they are strict and he intends to follow them to the letter. One wrong answer on the application form or one misstated fact and the application will be denied.
To qualify for a permit a person must be at least 23 years of age, a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of Missouri for at least six months. Exceptions to the state residency requirement are members of the military and their family members who are stationed in Missouri.
Among those who cannot qualify are people who have been found guilty of a felony crime, been found guilty in the preceding five years of a misdemeanor involving a crime of violence or two misdemeanors involving either alcohol-related driving offenses or possession of a controlled substance.
Anyone who is a fugitive from justice, is charged with a felony or who has been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces cannot be issued a permit.
Applicants who "have engaged in a pattern of behavior, documented in public records, that causes the sheriff to have a reasonable belief that the applicant presents a danger to himself, herself or others" will be denied a permit.
A person who is the respondent in a valid full order of protection in effect at the time of the application cannot be granted a permit.
There is also a requirement that Bullock said will be difficult for his department to enforce. Applicants cannot "have been adjudged mentally incompetent or released from a mental facility for five years prior to the application."