“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

The Missouri Senate is continuing to move forward in resolving issues surrounding the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) and how it handles citizens’ private information when they go to obtain certain documents, most notably concealed carry permits (CCWs). The department has been charged with creating a database and sharing information with federal authorities. Lawmakers are dedicated to ensuring citizens’ personal information cannot be viewed from unauthorized eyes.

Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations chairman announced that the Missouri State Highway Patrol has twice turned over a list containing information about Missourians with CCWs to federal authorities. According to an article by the Columbia Daily Tribune published on April 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee discovered that the Missouri State Highway Patrol requested and received the list from the Division of Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing in November 2011 and once again this past January. The Senate Appropriations chairman met with the superintendent of the patrol, Col. Ron Replogle, to discuss these matters.

The Columbia Daily Tribune article states, “After the meeting, he [the chairman] said Replogle had given him sketchy details about turning over the list, enough to raise many more questions. Testimony from Department of Revenue officials revealed that the list of 185,000 names had been put online in one instance and given to the patrol on a disc in January.” It’s noted that the list was given to the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, to which the Senate Appropriations chairman is quoted to say, “Apparently from what I understand, they wanted to match up anyone who had a mental diagnosis or disability with also having a concealed carry license. What I am told is there is no written request for that information.”

The Legislature is outraged at this infringement of privacy, and many Missourians are furious and concerned about how DOR mismanaged citizens’ personal information and that the department violated a state law passed in 2009 forbidding it to comply with certain provisions of the federal REAL ID Act.

The Senate is moving a measure (SB 252) forward to help protect your private information and addresses, among other provisions, the process of applying for a CCW. Under current law, Missourians seeking to carry concealed firearms have to apply to the sheriff for a certificate of qualification for a CCW. Upon receipt of that certificate, that citizen presents the document to DOR, which issues driver's or non-driver's licenses with a CCW endorsement. This legislation would repeal this provision and, instead, the permit issued by the sheriff authorizes the person to carry concealed firearms.

The Legislature is also looking at HB 886, which would amend Chapter 106 in the Missouri Revised Statutes to authorize the General Assembly to remove any department director or deputy director if it determines that the removal is necessary for the betterment of public service. Considering the information we learned this week regarding the sharing of our personal information, many lawmakers recognize the need for this legislation. You can read the article (Article VII, Section 4) in the Missouri Constitution about the removal of officers not subject to impeachment by clicking here.

We cannot stand by and let state agencies break the law and irresponsibly handle our personal information. At a time when identity theft is a growing problem, lawmakers are seeking action to protect you and your family. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your private information or about the bills moving through the Legislature, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-2108. Thank you and God bless.