JEFFERSON CITY - Rejecting arguments that more guns lead to more shootings, the Missouri House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to legalize concealed weapons.

The measure now goes to the Senate, where it faces a more difficult path. But the 75-vote margin of victory in the House signaled new momentum in a legislature now dominated by Republicans.

Proponents argued that concealed guns deter crime and provide a way for the weakest members of society to protect themselves when police are nowhere near.

Rep. Larry Crawford, a Centertown Republican, said 33 states already allow citizens to carry concealed weapons, and they have not created problems in those states. He said a vote against the proposal would be saying that Missourians are not as responsible as residents of other states.

Republican Rep. Rod Jetton, the speaker pro tem from Marble Hill, said concealed guns are a necessity in rural areas. He said that when his wife and children arrived at their home after it had been burglarized, sheriff's deputies failed to arrive for more than 30 minutes.

"Law enforcement arrives later to write up the report, to do the investigation and pick up the pieces," Jetton said. "They are not there when the moment of danger comes and you have to defend yourself."

Opponents chided supporters for trying to push through a law four years after voters rejected concealed weapons in a statewide referendum. They said concealed guns increase fear in the community. And they said the bill lacked safeguards for the safe handling of guns and would lead to more gun deaths.

Rep. Barbara Fraser, a St. Louis County Democrat, complained that the bill allows guns in homes used as child-care centers. Rep. Cathy Jolly, a Kansas City Democrat, said guns in the hands of lightly trained amateurs would lead to the use of lethal force when it isn't justified.

Hidden guns, she said, won't make a woman who is being stalked feel safer.

"A woman can have a gun now, she can wear it around her neck," Jolly said. "A concealed gun doesn't make a woman more safe. It makes her more scared. She doesn't know if her stalker is carrying a concealed weapon."

Rep. Vicki Walker, a Kansas City Democrat, cited statistics showing that the United States has about 50 times as many gun-related deaths as Canada and Great Britain combined.

Rep. Yvonne Wilson, a Kansas City Democrat, said allowing concealed guns would lead to more crime by putting more guns on the street.

"This bill creates more fear among people who otherwise wouldn't think of bearing arms," Wilson said.

Opponents' arguments carried little weight. The bill was approved 108-33.

Even Speaker Catherine Hanaway, a St. Louis County Republican who has opposed concealed carry in the past, voted for the bill.

Hanaway, whose district strongly opposed concealed weapons in the 1999 referendum, said she changed her mind, citing "a recognition of the many direct threats to personal safety."

"It's just a different climate now than it was before September 11," Hanaway said.

The legislation is HB349.

The Star's Tim Hoover contributed to this report.

To reach Kit Wagar, Jefferson City correspondent, call 816-234-4440 or 
send e-mail to kwagar@kcstar.com