The Journalist's Creed Headlines  NewsBook: MDN headlines   NewsNow: Headlines from across the state  NewsViews: Editorials across the state Stories  Search 2008  Text Search  By Date  By Subject  By Reporter  Blogs  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  1995 Data 2008 General Election Results Campaign Contributions Candidate Info Boxes Candidate Info Boxes Office Responsibilities Campaign Issues  August Primary  Feb. Special Elections Presidential Primary  House Votes  Senate Votes  2009 Budget  Registered Lobbyists  Meeting Notices  Bills  House Roster  Senate Roster  Calendars  Supreme Court Dockets  Supreme Court Decisions  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  1995 Audio  House Live   Senate Live  MDN Map

Concealed Weapons Vote Pushed

JEFFERSON CITY - Despite opposition from the NRA, an southeastern Missouri lawmaker urged the House Judiciary Committee to approve a measure that would let Missourians decide if there should be a constitutional right to carry concealed weapons.

Heard Tuesday night (April 9) by the committee was a proposed constitutional amendment that would require statewide voter approval to take effect.

The proposed amendment would exempt convicted felons from the concealed-weapons right. The legislature would be responsible for setting other requirements for a concealed-weapons permit - such as safety training.

"Send the resolution to a vote of the people. It's a straight up question -- either yes or no," said Rep. Wayne Crump, D-Potosi.

But the NRA asked the resolution's sponsor to withdrawal the amendment because a statewide campaign would be too costly.

Earlier this session, Senate defeated a similar concealed-weapons proposal. Efforts to revive the Senate bill were dropped after NRA announced opposition to a voter-approval provision in the bill.

The voter-approval amendment had been proposed as a way to get the bill around Gov. Mel Carnahan who has said he would veto a concealed-weapons bill.

Legislation submitted to the voters is not subject to approval or veto by the governor.

Crump, who was a deputy sheriff, said he thought guns in the hands of responsible citizens would have no major effect on crime. "A hand gun in the hands of a law abiding citizen will help stop those who aren't," he said.