For some gun rights advocates, you're either with them or against them. Other election issues are moot.

Kevin Jamison, vice president for Missourians for Personal Safety, said American citizens have the constitutional right to defend themselves. But, without the ability to carry concealed weapons, they lack the means. He said his group will use the conceal-carry issue as a litmus test in selecting candidates to advance to the November elections.

"We're picking and choosing politicians we think will help us with this issue in the future," Jamison said.

Todd Elkins, chairman of Missouri Impact, a religious group that addresses statewide public policy issues, opposes concealed weapons. He said there are better ways to address crime in the community. Furthermore, residents armed with a gun tend to become more confrontational, instead of seeking more peaceful options to defuse disputes.

"They said it has decreased crime, but those statistics are highly suspect," Elkins said. "Missouri had a decrease in crime without concealed weapons."

In 1999, a statewide referendum to allow Missourians carry a concealed weapon was defeated by a vote of 52 percent to 48 percent. Most rural precincts passed the referendum but it was defeated in the urban areas of Kansas City and St. Louis.

This year, the state House passed a bill allowing residents to carry concealed weapons without requiring a public vote. The Senate version called for another statewide vote. However, it specified that counties with more than 200,000 people would be exempt from concealed-carry legislation, even if the referendum were approved.

Neither bill made it to Gov. Bob Holden's desk, who threatened to veto any concealed-carry measure.

Jamison said candidates must be judged individually because neither the Democratic nor Republican parties can be relied on for votes.

Here are the candidates who face opposition in the Aug. 6 primary and their views on the issue:

45th House District:

Gary Amerine, Republican

Amerine said he supports the decision of voters, who voted against carrying concealed weapons.

"The laws we have are adequate," Amerine said. "You can carry a gun. It just can't be concealed."

Amerine said a problem with loosening the current law is "the number of people who really don't know how to use guns."

Derek Moorhead, Republican

Moorhead said Missourians should be able to carry concealed weapons, but it should be coupled with an emphasis on responsibility.

"By giving more people the right to carry, you have to review safety procedures" such as background checks and restricted-use zones in places like schools, concert halls and arenas, he said.

A third candidate, James Gregory Brown, could not be reached for comment.

46th House District:

Darrell Curls, Democrat

Curls opposes concealed-carry for Missourians, saying there is no proof that such a law would increase safety or alleviate crime.

"Law enforcement is against it, and I'm listening to the experts on this one," Curls said. "More guns on the street is not the answer."

Kate Meiners, Democrat

Meiners said she is personally opposed to anyone carrying a concealed weapon, "but feels people of Missouri should have the right to vote on issue."

49th House District:

John Eppert, Republican

Eppert also wants to see voters decide, but he would prefer the vote to happen county by county.

Eppert owns guns, hunts and supports gun rights in general, although he does not see much logic to carrying a concealed weapon.

"If I felt threatened enough to carry a gun, I would carry a shotgun over my shoulder where everyone could see it," he said.

If counties approve concealed-carry, he would want such legislation to have a training component.

James Aziere, Republican

Aziere said he would rather talk about other issues.

"I'm not putting it down, but to me it's not an important issue," he said. "It is not something that I would wage a battle for."

If it did come before him, however, Aziere said he would support the right to carry a concealed gun. States that have enacted similar legislation see drops in crime, he said, and in a society where violence is prevalent, policy-makers must ask where citizens have the right to defend themselves.

Philosophically, he supports conceal-and-carry because of his conservative beliefs.

"I support the Constitution as it's written," he said. "I think it does mean exactly what it says."

50th House District:

Michael Ricardo Brown, Democrat

Brown said he opposes the carrying of concealed weapons.

Vicki Walker, Democrat

Walker said she opposes concealed weapons because Missourians voted it down earlier.

"The legislature has no business usurping the voters," she said.

Democrat Art R. Harrington could not be reached for comment.

51st House District:

Bill Maness, Democrat

Maness favors carrying concealed weapons, combined with some restrictions.

"An educational program and a clean criminal record could be some of the requirements," Maness said. "If people are truly worried about their safety, they should carry a cell phone, not a concealed weapon. A cell phone would be more effective in aiding and assisting them."

Ray Salva, Democrat

Salva agreed that Missourians should have the right to carry concealed weapons but said guns should be barred from certain areas.

"I am not in favor of people carrying weapons in churches, schools, synagogues and places of public assembly," Salva said. "Persons traveling on vacation have a right to protect themselves, as well as the right to protect themselves in their home."

52nd House District:

Tom Helms, Democrat

Helms said that only a few Missourians ever need to carry a concealed weapon.

"Only when it's an obvious function of their job," Helms said. For example, "I think having a gun in your auto should be OK whether it is concealed or not for security people and others."

Sharon Gibson Kelley, Democrat

Kelley opposes the conceal-and-carry legislation in the form it has been presented.

"I think there is a lot more study of the issue that needs to be done before I will endorse it," Kelley said. "The issue isn't whether conceal and carry is good or bad but whether bureaucratically it is being handled well. This is an issue of life and death, and we need to be careful with it."

Paul LeVota, Democrat

LeVota supports carrying concealed weapons.

"I would support asking for a vote of the people again concerning this issue," LeVota said. "I would want clear certification, training and registration guidelines on conceal-carry."

David Eyerly, Republican

Eyerly supports carrying concealed weapons.

"Missouri citizens should be able to carry a weapon, concealed or otherwise," he said.

Todd E. Johann, Republican

Johann said he supports conceal and carry but said it should be done on a county-by-county basis.

"Each Missouri county would then be required to post its conceal-carry law."

Johann added, "I haven't seen a reliable study to prove that concealed-carry would make any difference to the crime rate of Missouri."

Noel Torpey, Republican

Torpey supports existing legislation on concealed weapons.

53rd House District:

Douglas Hatridge, Democrat

Hatridge said he thinks law-abiding Missourians should be allowed to have a weapon.

"Missouri voters were heard several years ago, but I'm willing to continue looking at conceal-and-carry legislation possibilities," he said.

Curt Dougherty, Democrat

Dougherty supports carrying a concealed weapon with little or no restrictions.

55th House District:

Lanna Ultican, Democrat

Ultican's husband and sons hunt, and she said she believes in responsible gun ownership.

"I don't want to take away (guns from) any responsible person," she said. "I certainly support the Second Amendment."

However, she also said the state went to the expense of putting a concealed weapons measure on the ballot several years ago, and supporters of both sides had a chance to rally support. Now, she said, people need to live with the voters' choice.

Neal McGregor, Democrat

McGregor said he's worked in law enforcement and understands the arguments for and against concealed weapons. He believes those arguments should play out at the ballot box.

"It should be brought to a vote of the people," he said. "If the people say they want to conceal and carry, that's fine with me."

If voters chose conceal and carry, he would want some precautions, namely background checks and courses and tests for those who get the permits.

"These are all, I think, very reasonable prohibitions or checks," he said.

56th House District:

Both Republican candidates said they support sportsmen's rights for hunters.

Brian Yates, Republican

Yates said that because Missourians already voted against concealed carrying of guns, he wouldn't vote to overturn that decision, except he'd support letting them vote in another referendum because it was a close election.

Bob Glaser, Republican

Glaser said he'd be in favor of concealed carry, but restrictions should include an extensive background check and a proficiency test. He said that states that have approved concealed-carry have seen crime rates go down.

"Guys who would use guns illegally will think twice," he said.

123rd House District:

The Democratic candidates all favor Missourians' carrying concealed weapons, with restrictions.

Bob Gregory, Democrat

"I do not want to see felons, certifiably insane or other learning disabled individuals have that right," Gregory said. "I would also like to see a training program initiated for anyone applying for this permit."

Teresa Hensley, Democrat

Hensley sees citizens' ability to carry concealed weapons as a safety issue because "law-breaking criminals already carry concealed weapons."

John Glenn, Democrat

He wants background checks to be enforced. Those carrying guns, he said, should complete classes on all types of guns.

Phil Duncan, Democrat:

Duncan believes a concealed weapons law, with restrictions, would provide peace of mind to citizens.

The Star's Donald Bradley, Brian Burnes, Russ Pulley, Joe Robertson, Mara Rose Williams, Erik Petersen and Eyobong Ita contributed to this report.