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The Missouri House passes concealed weapons bill

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri House passed a bill Thursday that would allow citizens to carry concealed firearms in Missouri, with 108 votes in favor and 33 against the proposal. Now the bill has to be discussed in the Senate.

Currently, Missouri state law allows citizens to carry weapons only as long as they are in plain sight.

This makes Missouri one of six states that does not permit carrying concealed firearms. The District of Columbia prohibits concealed carry as well.

The proposal is similar to a statewide referendum that Missourians voted down in 1999. The House rejected an amendment to the current bill that would have sent the issue before voters again.

Rep. Barbara Fraser, D-St. Louis County, said that "people already voted against it."

Likewise, Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis County, said there is no indication that the majority of Missourians have changed their minds.

"I am not afraid of taking the bill back to the people," she said.

But concealed-weapons supporters argue that the right to carry firearms is a right granted by the U.S. Constitution that is not subject to voter review.

In addition, the bill's sponsor -- Rep. Crawford, R-Centertown -- said that "the bill is important enough for lawmakers to decide on it."

Supporters of the bill argued in earlier floor debate that the House proposal is more restrictive than the ballot question Missourians voted on four years ago, and it would allow citizens to protect themselves better.