KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Greg Razer, the Democratic Representative for Dist. 25 in Missouri, held a town hall on Saturday.
Razer started the meeting by updating his constituents on what he is working on in Jefferson City as well as the investigation into Governor Greitens.
Razer then explained that a bill he sponsored that would require background checks for all firearms sales in Missouri failed. He said he will continue fighting for reasonable gun laws and then opened the floor to questions.
Several people asked questions about guns. One wanted to know about banning the sale of bump stocks, another wanted to know if lawmakers could limit the sale of ammunition.
Then, Greg Razer pointed to Scott Uhl.
“I might be the only one that’s pro gun here and I’m not ashamed of it. I wanted to know, just from your viewpoint, why is the NRA always the one that’s getting picked on when they have for years been teaching gun safety, they work with the community, they are the ones that are trying to teach the teachers how to become the safety shooters,” said Uhl.
Uhl’s question was met with frustration from others in the audience, but Razer commended him.
"It's not easy to come and sit here and ask a question when you know you are in the minority seriously I appreciate you being here and asking that question,” said Razer.
Former teacher Ann Griffiths was upset when Uhl expressed his support for owning firearms and arming teachers.
"I would never have been able, or can never be able to carry a gun or even shoot somebody,” said Griffiths.
Griffiths sat down with Uhl after the meeting. The two had a long conversation about their opposing views.
Razer says conversations like that are the only way progress will ever be made on the topic of guns.
"I think those of us on the left, 99% of the time we only focus on the guns... and the focus on the right only focus on the mental health issues and probably we just need to come together it's probably a little bit of all of that,” said Razer.
Uhl says he knew he was in the minority of this crowd but he’s glad he came out and spoke up.
“It opened up other discussions with the people around me. Am I going to change absolutely everything I view? No. But at least I know the mindset of where other people are coming from,” said Uhl.
