House approves legislation giving residents the right to carry

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Three years after voters rejected the idea, the state House passed a bill Thursday that would allow Missourians to carry concealed guns.

The legislation, approved by announced vote of 93-44, now goes to the Senate. But Gov. Bob Holden has threatened to veto any measure similar to the failed April 1999 ballot proposal.

The House bill would allow Missouri citizens 21 and over to carry concealed guns if their applications are approved by the local sheriff.

Applicants would be required to take gun safety classes.

People with past convictions of felonies or violent crimes and anyone judged mentally incompetent in the previous five years would be disqualified.

Many similar provisions were included in 1999's Proposition B, which failed largely because of opposition by city voters.

Supporters of the House legislation say their proposal requires much more training and has stricter background checks than the 1999 proposal. But this year's measure would not be placed on the ballot.

Opposition speaks

Opponents say the end result of both measures is the same -- people could carry concealed guns.

"My county voted against Prop B and I haven't heard from anybody saying to me they changed their minds," said Rep. Tim Harlan, D-Columbia.

Rep. Dick Franklin, D-Independence, said he has long supported the right to carry concealed guns but disliked the idea of passing legislation that has already been rejected by voters.