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House gives initial approval for the right to carry concealed weapons

March 4, 2003
By: Megan Murphy
State Capital Bureau

By a voice vote, the House gave first round approval to a bill that would give Missourians the right to carry concealed weapons.

This bill is somewhat similar to a ballot question that the voters rejected in 1999.

The House failed to adopt an ammendment that would have sent the issue of concealed weapons back to the people. Some representatives, like Rob Schaaf from Northwest Missouri, say it should be the people's decision.

Actuality:SHAGUN3.wav
RunTime: 16
OutCue: "their decision"


Contents: "The people have already rejected concealed carry, and it isn't our place to make that the law of the land when the people rejected that law. They, and only they, can reverse their decision."

The bill sponsor said there's no need to send it to the people. He said the bill is important enough that lawmakers need to act now.

In Jefferson City, Megan Murphy, KMOX News

By a voice vote, the House gave first round approval to a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in the state of MIssouri.

The bill is somewhat similar to a ballot question that the voters rejected four years ago. But, supporters of the bill say this time the proposal is more restrictive...and would make it harder to get a concealed weapons permit.

Opponents of the bill, like Representative Melba Curls from Kansas City, say concealed weapons create paranoia.

Actuality:CURLSGUN.WAV
RunTime: 9
OutCue: "the gun."


Contents: "I'd much rather see the gun, so I can stay out the gun's way, and the person who possesses the gun, rather than not knowing who has the gun."

Proponents of the bill say it gives an individual the constitutional right to protect themselves.

In Jefferson City, Megan Murphy, KMOX News