JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri motorists would be able to hide guns under car seats or in gloves boxes under legislation given initial approval Wednesday by the House.

The bill, which also allows certain retired law officers to carry concealed guns, would take a first step toward relaxing Missouri's strict laws against concealed weapons.

One section of the bill would require Missouri police and prosecutors to consider referring certain weapons-related cases to federal prosecutors whenever there is a tougher applicable federal law.

That language was intended to win backing for the measure from some opponents of concealed guns.

But Gov. Bob Holden is still unlikely to support the legislation, said spokesman Jerry Nachtigal.

"It is very likely the governor would veto the legislation if it passes," Nachtigal said. "He believes voters have spoken on this issue. Voters have made it clear they do not favor concealed weapons in vehicles.

"The governor has made it clear that he does not think we need to expand our conceal-and-carry law."

House members endorsed the legislation by voice vote. The bill needs another House vote before moving to the Senate.

"For years, we have given this right to somebody traveling through the state. I think it's time to give it to our own citizens," said House Majority Leader Wayne Crump, D-Potosi, sponsor of the bill.

Opponents offered numerous amendments Tuesday and Wednesday aimed at killing the bill.

"A lot of the difficulty we have on the issue comes from just geography," said Rep. John Hickey, D-Bridgeton. "In some of the areas, you could fire a gun off on Main Street and not hit a thing. But where I come from, somebody is going to die."

The House rejected an amendment by Rep. Tom Villa, D-St. Louis, to allow a concealed gun in a car only if the vehicle were occupied. If the motorist left the vehicle, the gun would have to be unloaded or disassembled.

"I don't think we should have a loaded firearm in a vehicle that's unattended," Villa said, suggesting that people might start breaking into cars to steal guns to commit crimes.

Rep. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, disagreed.

"In my area, most of the bank robbers show up at the bank already with a firearm," Purgason said.

Purgason also said making a motorist reload a gun might give the upper hand to criminals committing crimes.

"Is the person going to say, 'Please wait a minute while I load my firearm, so I can properly defend myself?' Is the criminal going to say, 'OK, how long do you need?"' Purgason asked.

Missouri is one of six states -- all in the Midwest -- that prohibit concealed weapons. A dozen others allow them but sharply restrict the permits.

The Legislature put a question on a statewide ballot in 1999 asking voters if Missourians should be able to carry concealed weapons. The NRA spent $3.8 million and the proposal passed in most counties, but died because of lopsided rejection by voters in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Some proponents have said allowing hidden weapons in the passenger compartments of vehicles could provide an important first step to show that concealed guns are safe.

In other states, concealed gun supporters also are taking a step-by-step approach toward relaxing laws. In many states that already allow concealed guns, supporters now are trying to loosen the permit process or the allow guns to be taken more places.

All told, lawmakers in 28 states have proposed concealed gun bills this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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Concealed gun bill is HB1344 (Crump).

On the Net:

Missouri Legislature: http://www.moga.state.mo.us