MISSOURI IS NOW IN TINY MINORITY ON CONCEALED WEAPONS

Lawmakers who back concealed weapons legislation have signalled their intention to try yet again to extend to Missourians this responsibility, a right guaranteed to citizens of more than 30 other states. As with previous proposals, applicants would submit to the sheriff proof, together with other requirements, that they:

1) are at least 21 years old.

2) have completed a minimum of 16 hours of training through an approved firearms safety course.

3) have no history of habitual drug or alcohol abuse.

4) have no felony convictions.

State after state has adopted such laws in recent years, including hugely populous states such as Florida (1987) and Texas, where the law took effect a year ago. Democratic governors in neighboring Tennessee and Kentucky have signed it into law. The experience in Florida is especially telling: FBI statistics record a 29 percent decline in homicides in since passage of a conceal-carry law there a decade ago.

As before, Gov. Mel Carnahan has announced his opposition in the face of overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. But opponents should reflect on the fact that Missouri belongs to a tiny minority of just seven states that have no form of conceal-carry law on the books. Thirty states have the kind of law outlined above, dubbed "shall issue" laws. Other states have laws "may issue" laws that vest discretion in law enforcement officials on the question of whether to issue permits. Missouri has nothing.

St. Louis and Kansas City are two of America's most dangerous cities. Missourians shouldn't be the last folks in America to be extended this basic right to self-defense.