JEFFERSON CITY - Three years after voters rejected the idea at the polls, the Missouri House on Thursday approved a bill that would let residents carry concealed weapons.

By a 94-44 vote, the House gave final approval to the bill, which would allow Missourians to carry a concealed gun if they are at least 21, pass a training course and have not been judged mentally incompetent or convicted of a violent crime within five years.

The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.

Supporters argued Thursday that many voters in 1999 were confused by the ballot language in Proposition B. Some thought the proposition to allow concealed weapons, which failed 52 percent to 48 percent, would have increased taxes, said Rep. Rod Jetton, a Republican from Marble Hill.

If that is so, said Rep. Barbara Fraser, a St. Louis County Democrat, why not write a clearer proposal and send it back to the voters?

"That's a bygone thing," Jetton said. "We're here today to vote on giving them that right" to carry concealed weapons.

Fraser responded, "It seems to me, you don't trust the people."

That was the response from Democratic Gov. Bob Holden, who has vowed to veto concealed-carry legislation.

"The voters have spoken on this issue," said Jerry Nachtigal, Holden's spokesman. "They said no to concealed guns. End of story as far the governor's concerned."

Nachtigal said, however, that the governor was "fine" with any legislation that would put the issue back in front of voters. However, the House earlier defeated amendments that would have required voters to approve the issue.

Rep. Dick Franklin, an Independence Democrat, said he had suppored concealed-carry laws for 14 years. Nonetheless, he said: "What we're doing is not right. We put it on the ballot (in 1999). It failed. The only right thing to do is to send it back to a vote of the people."

House Majority Leader Wayne Crump, a Potosi Democrat who is one of the leading gun-rights advocates in the legislature, said opponents of the measure had used court challenges to make the ballot language vague and confusing.

Rep. Kathlyn Fares, a St. Louis County Republican, disagreed.

"I think people knew what they were voting on," Fares said. Voters, she said, "do know how to read."

The bill passed Thursday would allow county sheriffs to issue the concealed-carry permits, which would be subject to renewal after three years. Applicants would have to complete a training course, including live fire exercises and classroom work.

Applicants would be fingerprinted and would undergo a criminal background check. The application fee could not exceed $100, and a renewal fee could not exceed $50.

In addition to restrictions on people convicted of violent crimes or judged to be mentally ill or mentally incompetent, the bill would deny permits to anyone dishonorably discharged from the military or anyone who is habitually drunk.

The bill would prohibit concealed firearms from being carried into police stations, polling places, jails and prisons, courthouses, government buildings (except for government officials), amusement parks, bars, hospitals, airports and sports stadiums with 250 seats or more.

Permit holders would need the consent of the owner or appropriate officials to carry concealed weapons into colleges, schools, child-care facilities, casinos and churches.

Businesses open to the public could prohibit concealed weapons on their premises if they posted signs, and employers could forbid employees to carry concealed weapons in vehicles owned by the business.

The concealed weapons bill is HB 1729.