Gun proponents worked themselves into a lather after a rootin'-tootin' rally in Jefferson City recently. Missouri House backers of a proposal to let some people carry concealed weapons were in no mood for compromise when more sensible legislators tried to limit the bill's potential damage.

Rep. Frank Barnitz, a Lake Spring Democrat, is sponsor of a bill (HB 1729) that would allow people over 21 to carry concealed firearms if a county sheriff identifies the people as qualified.

This is a bad idea under any circumstances. But it seems particularly unworkable in larger counties such as Jackson and St. Louis, as some reasonable House members tried to point out. Their argument, however, went nowhere with conceal-carry advocates.

Rep. Vicky Riback Wilson, a Columbia Democrat, tried to ensure that if the legislation passed, convicted domestic abusers would not be allowed to carry hidden guns.

This sensible suggestion was voted down. Rep. Wayne Crump, Potosi Democrat, then delivered a strange and unsettling lecture to Wilson. He argued that many abuse claims can be exaggerated.

"If I'm in an argument with my wife and I tear the phone off the wall, can I get accused of domestic abuse by depriving her of communication with the outside world?" he asked.

Just think ... with a gun tucked in his belt, perhaps Crump could just shoot the phone off the wall instead.

Conceal-carry proponents clearly wanted to limit House debate; these allies of the National Rifle Association don't want to talk about the problems with their proposals.

Barnitz's bill also could permit people who are prohibited from carrying firearms to do so in some cases. People found by a judge to be mentally ill and who had been institutionalized, for example, could apply to carry a concealed weapon five years after being released.

The legislation also could permit people convicted of some violent crimes to carry concealed guns if five years have passed since their release from prison. This is a ludicrous idea.

Lawmakers like Barnitz and Crump just can't take "no" for an answer. In 1999 the state's voters rejected a conceal-carry measure, Proposition B, by 44,000 votes. The voters meant what they said.

Debate on Barnitz's bill is scheduled to continue today with various amendments up for consideration, some more bizarre than others.

Proponents hope to get conceal-carry legislation to Gov. Bob Holden before the legislative session ends.

Fortunately, Holden has said he won't sign a conceal-carry bill. If the time comes, the governor should keep his word.