CHIEF BUCKS ASSOCIATION, SUPPORTS WEAPONS LAW

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr. thinks Missouri residents should be allowed to carry concealed weapons, but the Missouri Police Chiefs Association thinks otherwise and wants the issue put to a statewide vote.

Boyd welcomes a statewide vote. But unlike, the state association, he thinks voters would support a concealed-weapons law.

The association fears allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons would lead to a "blood bath," Boyd said, but such fears are unwarranted.

State Sen. Harold Caskey, D-Butler, has proposed legislation that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons.

Under the measure, citizens would have to apply to their sheriff's departments for special permits. To get the permits, citizens would have to be at least 21, demonstrate handgun safety and meet other criteria.

People convicted or facing charges for crimes punishable by more than a year in jail would be prohibited from carrying concealed weapons. The ban also would apply to those who had been dishonorably discharged from the military, or who had a history of drug or alcohol abuse, violent behavior or mental illness.

A Senate subcommittee has heard testimony on the bill but hasn't taken any action on it.

Caskey wants the legislature to handle the matter rather than putting the issue before the voters, even though he thinks most people would support it.

This is the fourth year lawmakers have raised the issue.

Jackson Police Chief Marvin Sides opposes the measure.

"When kids see their parents or relatives or whomever arming themselves, are we sending the message to them that the way to resolve conflicts is through an armed confrontation?" he asked.

Missourians currently can carry guns, but only certain groups, such as police officers and judges, can carry concealed weapons.

Thirty-eight states allow people to carry concealed weapons. Supporters of Caskey's bill say most of those states have lower crime rates than Missouri.

One such state is Florida. Boyd said the murder rate in Florida has declined every year since 1990, while Missouri's murder rate has increased.

"It has worked in Florida, and it has worked in other states," Boyd said, adding that such laws can help in the war on crime.

States such as California, Washington and Oregon allow retired police officers to carry concealed weapons.

Boyd favors such a policy. He polled about 20 police chiefs in eastern Missouri last fall and found that most share his sentiments.