JEFFERSON CITY - Moving quickly on another high-profile issue, House Republicans yesterday gave first-round approval to a measure allowing Missourians to carry concealed weapons.

In the first two months of the legislative session, the new GOP majority has passed legislation on several hot topics, approving changes to workers’ compensation law, limits on medical malpractice lawsuits and changes to the state’s education funding system.

While those actions were mainly partisan efforts, yesterday’s action comes on an issue that is controversial but draws support from both sides of the aisle.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Larry Crawford, R-California, would make Missouri one of more than 40 states that allow concealed weapons. Backers of the measure say it is more stringent than the conceal-carry provision that was narrowly defeated at the polls in 1999. For instance, Crawford’s bill would ban concealed weapons in sports stadiums and bars, places where they were allowed under Proposition B.

But detractors say it’s not right for the legislature to approve an idea so soon after voters rejected it. "It’s an outrage that we are subverting the will of the people," said Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis County. 

During a lengthy debate, Democrats offered nine amendments to the measure, all of which were rejected. An effort by Rep. Jim Seigfreid, D-Marshall, to send the proposal to voters in April 2004 was defeated, 96-65. Reps. Jeff Harris, Chuck Graham and Vicky Riback Wilson, all Columbia Democrats, voted in favor of such a referendum, while Reps. Wes Shoemyer and Steve Hobbs, who represent portions of Boone County, voted against it.

Wilson unsuccessfully proposed an amendment stipulating that conceal-carry would not apply to any county until voters in that county approved the measure. Boone County was one of 10 counties where Prop B was defeated in 1999.

The bill was perfected - meaning it can no longer be amended - on a voice vote and must receive a final vote before moving on to the Senate.

The concealed weapons debate has percolated in the legislature ever since the Prop B defeat, with strong support often coming from Democrats. In recent years, Democratic leaders in the House have pushed the bill, and the lower chamber approved the measure last year despite the threat of a veto from Gov. Bob Holden.

Reach Josh Flory at (573) 815-1719 or jflory@tribmail.com

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