Gov. Blunt Statement on Court Ruling
Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement:
"I am disappointed that some of the tough provisions we enacted to protect Missouri children on Halloween may not be enforced, but I am pleased that the courts agree overall this law is an important step towards further protecting our children from harm. An appeal has been filed and I strongly encourage the Court of Appeals to reverse this decision.
"As always, Melanie and I urge all parents to be cautious this Halloween and thoughtful about the doors that their children visit.
"I have signed some of the toughest laws in the country to stop dangerous sexual predators who troll our neighborhoods and the Internet, including Missouri's strong version of Jessica's Law. I was also pleased to sign this law that requires registered sex offenders to register their e-mail addresses and other on-line identifiers to county law enforcement before using them, it gives Cyber Crimes Task Forces and Missouri prosecutors a powerful new tool to go after Internet predators by creating the new crime of age misrepresentation with the intent to use the Internet to engage in criminal sexual misconduct with a minor' and also makes it easier for victims of child pornography to testify in court. Since we have made it increasingly difficult for sexual predators to hurt Missouri children it is no surprise that they did not like this law and took steps to stop its good provisions from being effective."