MO lawmakers take aim at driver's license procedures
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House wants to block the scanning and computer storage of personal documents needed to get a driver's license or state identification card.
Legislation given initial approval 141-14 on Wednesday would bar the Revenue Department from scanning documents needed for driver's licenses or concealed weapons permits. Documents that have been scanned would need to be destroyed.
The bill needs another vote before moving to the Senate, where members have criticized the driver's license procedure.
Previously, license clerks looked at applicants' documents, took a photo and printed the license. Under the new system, licenses are printed and mailed by a contractor several days after people apply. Revenue Department officials have said the new procedure makes licenses more secure and saves money.
Some Missouri senators are pressing the state's driver's license agency to stop collecting documents from people with concealed gun permits.
But the head of the agency said Wednesday he's reluctant to halt the practice.
Since December, clerks in Missouri's local license offices have been making electronic copies of concealed weapons permits for a state database of driver's license applicants. Concealed gun endorsements are noted on driver's licenses.
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about the document database. During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Wednesday, Chairman Kurt Schaefer asked the Revenue Department to stop making and keeping copies of concealed gun permits.
Revenue Director Brian Long said he's unwilling to commit to that, because the scanned documents provide protection against fraud. But Long also said he will consider it further.
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8

Boy Scouts vote to allow gay boys to join
GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America's National Council has voted to ease a long-standing ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted as Scouts. Of the local Scout l...

Illinois to create state-run health care exchange
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would create a state-governed "insurance exchange" so individuals and small businesses can shop for health ...

IL lawmakers approved ban on using cell phones while dr…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving. Senators voted 34-20 Thursday, sending the bill to Gov. Pat Q...

Police release photo of gas station robbery suspect
Police are asking for help to find the suspects who robbed a Cahokia gas station overnight. The Midwest Petroleum convenience store was robbed around 2:30 AM. Three suspects smash...
Attorney says pot penalties being misapplied in Columbi…
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A Columbia lawyer says a local ordinance that treats marijuana possession as a municipal violation isn't being followed by Boone County sheriff's deputies patr...

Police arrest man for shooting into South St. Louis hom…
A suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting into a South St. Louis home. Police were on the scene when they saw the suspect fire several shots into a home near the intersecti...

AP: Man driving van during fatal wreck had suspended li…
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Public records show a New Jersey man behind the wheel of a van that overturned on an Illinois freeway, killing five passengers, had his driving privileges suspende...

Two carnival workers involved in fight
TROY, Mo. (AP) - One carnival worker is badly injured and another in jail following an altercation in eastern Missouri. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 25-year-old Clint ...