JEFFERSON CITY - People who go
through training and meet certain criteria would be allowed to carry concealed weapons under a bill that won initial approval Tuesday
in the Missouri House.
The measure still needs final approval from the House before moving on
to the Senate. And even with approval from both chambers, it could face
a veto from Gov. Bob Holden.
Voters rejected a concealed weapons measure known as Proposition
B in 1999, but the idea has surfaced every year in the Legislature.
"The governor feels like the issue has been presented to the
voters," said Mary Still, Holden's spokeswoman. "He personally
opposes it. He respects the people's position on this."
The proposal under consideration this year has more safeguards built in
than did Proposition B, said the sponsor of the current bill, Rep. Larry
Crawford, R-California.
Some gun rights groups had qualms about all the safeguards, he said.
Crawford said the bill would help people protect themselves and serve as
a deterrent to crime.
"If you're not allowed to carry a concealed weapon,
you're not able to defend yourself," he said.
In nearly five hours of debate, critics repeatedly said that Missouri
voters have already rejected the idea once. "This process is not
about circumventing the people," said Rep. Yaphett El-Amin, D-St.
Louis.
Rep. Jim Seigfreid, D-Marshall, proposed putting the issue to another
vote. He said that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, may have
changed enough minds to let the measure pass.
But Crawford said such a complex bill could not be adequately explained
in 50 words on a ballot. The amendment was voted down on a 93-60 vote.
Crawford's bill sets up a system in which someone who wants to carry
a concealed weapon would apply for a "certificate of
qualification for a concealed carry endorsement" from
their sheriff or a designee.
Applicants would have to be 21 years old and a U.S. citizen. They must
also be a Missouri resident for at least six months or a member of the
armed forces stationed in Missouri.
A person could not get such a permit if they had been convicted of:
A felony.
A misdemeanor involving a firearm or an "explosive weapon."
A misdemeanor "crime of violence" within the past five years.
Two or more misdemeanors involving driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
Possession of a controlled substance within the past five years.
Permits would not be given to people who were dishonorably discharged
from the armed forces, fugitives or someone judged "a danger to
himself or others."
They must also have not been judged mentally incompetent in the past
five years or have been in a mental institution in that time frame.
Applicants would be required to take eight hours of safety training and
could not have a valid order of protection against them. Permits would
cost $100 and be valid for three years. Renewals would be $50.
Concealed weapons
would be forbidden in police stations, polling places on Election Day,
prisons, bars, casinos or at airport gates. They would be allowed in
schools, child-care facilities and churches - with proper approval.
Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-Richmond Heights, tried to change the bill so
that concealed weapons would not be allowed in buildings with
child-care centers with the consent of a manager. Her amendment failed
94-40.
Rep. Ted Hoskins, D-Berkeley, tried and failed to remove St. Louis, St.
Louis County and Kansas City from the bill. He said these urban areas
voted against Proposition B and that voters there probably haven't
changed their minds.
The measure is HB349.
Reporter Bill Bell Jr.:
E-mail: bbell@post-dispatch.com
Phone: 573-635-6178
