Taking another shot at bearing arms in secret

Lawmakers give support to concealed weapons bill

By Andrea L. Buchanan ~ Southeast Missourian

Local supporters of a bill that would legalize concealed weapons said they're preparing themselves for another disappointment.

Missouri's House of Representatives last week approved in a 99-50 vote a bill that would give state residents the right to carry concealed weapons. A similar measure is expected to come up for debate in the Senate before the session ends.

But, noting that voters already rejected the idea of concealed weapons in 1999, Gov. Bob Holden has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

Rural voters offered overwhelming support to a concealed weapons measure in April 1999, and the National Rifle Association spent $3.8 million promoting the issue, but massive urban opposition led to the proposal's failure.

The ballot issue needed a simple majority to pass, but lost when it got 48 percent of the vote.

The latest measure would not go to a public vote.

Little chance

"So even though most of Missouri wants it, we haven't got a chance," said Rowdy Enderle, co-chairman of the local Friends of the National Rifle Association chapter.

"It's just Kansas City and St. Louis who voted against it," Enderle said.

Vince Bowman works with Enderle at Shooter's Gun Shop in Cape Girardeau. He said there's more of a market for personal protection than ever before.

"After Sept. 11, we broke just about every sales record on the book," Bowman said.

He said passing the concealed weapons bill would lower crime rates, citing statistics that indicate decreased crime in states that allow concealed weapons.

But some aren't so sure.

Cape Girardeau police chief Steve Strong said he is generally opposed to the concealed weapons bill. He said there may be exceptions for "specific jobs, duties or lines of work where an individual may need to be armed."

The House bill would allow Missouri residents 21 and over to carry concealed guns if they get applications approved by their county sheriff.

Applicants would be required to take gun safety classes. People with past convictions involving felonies or violent crimes and anyone certified as mentally incompetent in the last five years would be disqualified.

Many similar provisions were included in 1999's failed Proposition B.

Bowman said Proposition B should never have gone before voters.

"No other state ever voted on it," he said.

Enderle said the 1999 ballot measure was an effort to avoid Gov. Mel Carnahan's veto.

Now, bill sponsors are back to square one.

Missouri is one of just six states -- all in the Midwest -- that prohibit concealed guns.

Earlier this session, the House passed a bill allowing concealed guns in the passenger compartments of vehicles without need of a permit. That measure awaits Senate debate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.