Background checks are the only systematic way to stop felons, domestic abusers and other dangerous people from buying firearms. But federal law only requires background checks for gun sales at licensed dealers. In the U.S., an estimated 40% of gun transfers take place without going through a licensed dealer, including online and at gun shows. That means that in 2012, 6.6 million guns were sold with no background check for the buyer. Criminals and other prohibited gun buyers know how to exploit this loophole, and they do. A national survey of inmates found that nearly 80% of those who used a handgun in a crime acquired it in a private transfer. Background checks take a couple minutes to complete, and they save lives. Since the system was created, it has blocked more than 2 million criminals, domestic abusers, seriously mentally ill people and other dangerous people from buying guns at licensed dealers. Congress should pass The Fix Gun Checks Act (H.R. 137), which would require a criminal background check for every gun sale and take steps to get all of the names of felons, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill into NICS. Gun owners nationwide strongly support this common sense proposal: a 2012 survey by Douglas Schoen found that 88% of gun owners -- including 86% of NRA members -- support criminal background checks for all gun sales. Eighty-five percent of Missourians support mandatory background checks for all gun buyers. Please join us to reduce gun violence.

The "Safe Carry Protection Act", S.B. 101 was successfully curtailed for this past legislative session but has come up again as HB875. The "Act" would allow guns to be carried , in k-12 schools, in churches in bars and certain government buildings. The premise being it would make people "safer". If you do not believe it will make you safer, please sign this petition. It is after all a matter of life or death. More guns in more places carried by more people will not make it safer for people, it will in fact make it more dangerous. This is a "public safety" issue, not a 2nd Amendment issue.

The USDA is considering approval of a horse slaughterhouse in New Mexico

We are petitioning the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament to allow all Chicago residents to participate in the competition.

We demand that you rescind your decision to authorize and enable the U.S. Navy to cause such obvious and unnecessary harm to our ocean’s wildlife by not granting the permit that the they seek.

Aren't we all tired of the political games with our congress putting themselves and their parties ahead of the American people? Somehow they need to be directly affected by economics like the rest of the country to stop this childish activity.

We are both disabled, and Social Security doesn't really make ends meet. We can squeak by if I find a part-time job, but the job market is the worst I've seen in my 60+ years! We're afraid of losing our apartment!

Members of congress suffer no personal consequences for their failure to reach agreements on the federal budget. Sequestration has proven ineffective at motivating them, because their $174,000 salaries are unaffected. In addition, more and more news reports demonstrate how congress members are accepting bribes through legal loopholes which only they could close. In a time when the definition of warfare is ever expanding to include terrorism, biological warfare, cyber warfare, and more, one can reasonably describe the actions of congress as legal and economic warfare against the United States of America and its people. They should be punished accordingly if they cannot forgo their salaries and perform the duties of their office until such a time that other American citizens can enjoy the job security that members of congress do.

Statute 85.007 stipulates that any materials in HIV education programs for individuals under 18 years of age must state that homosexual behavior is not an acceptable form of behavior. Placing this requirement in training materials encourages a culture of hate and intolerance towards the LGBT community and has no place in our State's statutes. We call on the State legislature to remove this language from statute 85.007.

Losing 16 hrs per pay period even at a short time furlough will hurt tremendously for most and could lead the employee to being a credit risk and lose a job. First Federal workers are already hit with higher costs of health care premiums, pay freezes, higher taxes, higher gas prices, rent and cost of living. Unemployment is not an option based on the standards of eligibility. Our customers which involves vendors, contractors, and the military members will be affected. One day a week makes a difference. If its across the board type furlough and it should be all of us and not just a few to include Congress and the President and all who are involved in wanting to have the furlough.

The Missouri House and Senate are considering a constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID to vote, which would unfairly disenfranchise thousands of elderly, minority, and low-income Missourians. Tell your legislators to oppose so-called "voter ID" laws.

I know numerous teenagers from age 18 and under who have had consensual sex with people under their age and have been involved in "sext messages". These are teenagers who are just begining their lives and make mistakes they will later frown upon in their later years. They should not be punished with a Felony or a lifetime registration as a "Sex Offender". All teenagers make mistakes and deserve a second chance.