CONCEALED WEAPONS BILL MOVES TOWARD PASSAGE

Missourians would be able to carry concealed weapons legally -- under fast-tracked, bipartisan measures in the General Assembly. The directive is one part of a 61-section anti-crime package.

The House has already endorsed the matter -- the amendment was added to the overall crime bill by a phenomenal 111-40 vote. The House then passed the entire crime bill by a 110-35 margin. It's now awaiting committee assignment in the Senate.

This measure deserves candid discussion and consideration in the Senate.

Carrying a gun doesn't mean people will use it. More importantly, criminals may think twice because they won't know who is armed, deterring them from crime.

We're glad to see the legislature is not approaching this matter impulsively. The House measure allows county sheriffs to issue three-year concealed weapons permits after conducting background checks on applicants. It also requires that applicants be at least 21, and not have a history of drug use or felonies. We also like the fact the House bill requires those carrying weapons be adequately trained in firearms safety.

We encourage the Senate to address similar concerns.

There are legitimate times people might need to carry a gun because their jobs or travels create security concerns. Examples are clerks carrying sums of money to the bank late at night, or women who must walk a distance to the parking garage after dark.

The fact 35 states already have concealed weapon laws also speaks for itself.

FBI statistics show violent crime in Florida, the most recent state to legalize concealed weaons, has seen a decrease in its growth of crime. It is now about 10 percent less than in Missouri for the same period.

While the crime bill sailed through in the House, Senate passage is not assured. A concealed weapons amendment attached to the juvenile crime bill was narrowly defeated by senators earlier this year. Gov. Carahan has indicated he will veto a concealed weapons measure.

Let's be honest -- otherwise law-abiding people are already carrying concealed weapons in Missouri. This bill would provide a way to regulate who is carrying a weapon.

Many people already own handguns. Under current law, they must be transported in open view. The proposal would allow guns to be carried under clothes, in a purse or briefcase or hidden in a vehicle. However, the bill would forbid the taking of guns into a school or school property (which includes a bus), church, polling place or any governmental building.

Our current law makes criminals out of law-abiding citizens who carry concealed weapons to protect themselves. In today's world, it's time Missouri joins 35 other states in rejecting this notion.