CONCEALED GUNS VOTE A POSSIBILITY; NRA READY TO SPEND BIG ON STATEWIDE REFERENDUM

Missouri voters may get to decide whether law-abiding citizens can apply to carry concealed weapons.

A Senate committee by a 5-0 vote on Monday approved a House-passed plan that would put the issue before voters in April 1999.

State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, favors the plan and believes it has more than a 50-50 chance of passing the Senate before the end of the legislative session next week.

The bill passed 123 to 35 in the House.

The House bill is similar to legislation proposed by Kinder this year.

Last year Kinder opposed the idea of a referendum. Kinder's position mirrors that of the National Rifle Association, which also has switched from opponent to referendum proponent.

In past years the NRA sought to legalize concealed weapons through the Legislature. But the efforts have fallen short.

The biggest roadblock has been the opposition of Gov. Mel Carnahan, who believes that legalization of concealed weapons would lead to more violence.

Kinder said the referendum route bypasses the governor, thus avoiding a veto.

No other state has enacted a concealed-weapons law by a statewide vote. But Kinder and the NRA believe Missourians want the law.

"We believe we can pass it," Kinder said.

A simple majority would be needed for passage.

He said the NRA is prepared to spend $2 million to campaign for passage of a referendum to allow the general public to carry concealed weapons. Kinder said an NRA survey has found that 60 percent of Missouri voters would vote for the measure.

Kinder has long favored legislation to allow the public to carry concealed weapons. He opposed a House-passed bill last year that would have put the issue before voters.

Kinder said the NRA's decision to support a referendum is a major reason why he now backs the plan to put the issue before voters.

"NRA support is crucial," he said of the possible vote. "I didn't want to jump out there and go for a referendum when no other state has done it."

Kinder said it costs money to promote any statewide issue.

Missouri is one of only seven states that don't allow citizens to carry concealed weapons. Thirty-one states have laws that allow law-abiding residents to carry concealed weapons, Kinder said. Another dozen states leave the issuance of permits to the sheriffs' discretion.

Kinder and other supporters of concealed-weapons laws say citizens deserve the right to protect themselves, their families and their property from criminals.