Breaking: Missouri ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill That Would Have Shielded Florists and Murderers Dies

Highly Controversial Bill to ‘Protect’ People of Faith From Interacting With Same-Sex Couples and LGBT People Is Dead – for Now

A Missouri bill designed to offer protection to Christians and other people of faith from interacting, serving, or doing business with same-sex couples has just died in committee. SJR 39 was so contentious Senate Democrats broke a filibuster record, trying to stop the bill from passage for 39 hours straight. 

Legal analysis of the measure found that if enacted, SJR39 would constitutionally “protect” a wide swath of people, organizations, and businesses from serving or doing business with gay people and same-sex couples, including priests, churches, and adoption agencies. The list goes on and on, with the lynchpin being “sincere religious beliefs” against same-sex marriage.

But legal experts at Columbia University determined SJR39 would also “protect” another group of people: murderers.

RELATED: White House: Missouri Anti-Gay Bill ‘Inconsistent With Justice, Fairness, Equality’

Because the language in the bill broadly protects persons or organizations from legal action if they have acted by following their “sincere religious beliefs,” the study determined murder and other illegal acts would become constitutionally protected.

Three Republicans joined with three Democrats and tied the vote, 6-6, effectively killing the bill – for now. SJR was introduced and sponsored by GOP state introduced by State Sen. Bob Onder, who has a history of support for anti-LGBT measures.

 

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.