The state House has proposed letting Missourians who can legally own guns carry them concealed anywhere they can now openly carry, and do so without a permit.

Representative Eric Burlison (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Eric Burlison (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

The bill is sponsored by Representative Eric Burlison (R-Springfield).

“If you, as a law-abiding citizen, are legally allowed to own and carry a firearm for self-defense, then you’re legally allowed to carry that firearm for self-defense with no additional paperwork,” said Burlison. “We will get out of the business of trying to tell people how they are going to choose to carry the firearm that they legally have the right to already carry.”

Critics including Representative Stacey Newman (D-St. Louis) said law enforcement wants people carrying concealed weapons to have to meet the requirements of the permit system.

“They want to know that someone who’s got a conceal and carry permit actually has had some type of training,” said Newman, who said many gun owners and National Rifle Association members oppose the proposed policy.

Other provisions in the bill would allow people who are guests in a home to use deadly force to defend themselves and others in that home, with the permission of the home’s owner; and would bar businesses from keeping people from lawfully having a gun in a vehicle on their premises.

The proposal goes to the state Senate.