By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House has voted to override Governor Holden's vetoes of bills that would legalize concealed guns and restrict abortion.
Today's 115-to-39 House vote on concealed guns sends the bill to the Senate, where supporters face a much more difficult challenge to get the two-thirds majority needed to make the measure law.
The legislation would allow Missourians age 23 and older to apply for permits from their county sheriffs to carry concealed guns.
Applicants first would have to pass training and safety courses. But felons and others with violent pasts would be prohibited from carry concealed guns.
Supporters argue that the measure is more restrictive than the one defeated by statewide voters in 1999. Opponents disagree, and contend it could lead to more deaths and injuries.
The Missouri House also voted to over-ride
Governor Holden's veto of an abortion bill.
The 120-to-35 vote this morning sends the bill to the Senate, where a vote is expected tomorrow. It takes a two-thirds vote in each chamber to over-ride a veto.
Hundreds of anti-abortion advocates watching from the House galleries erupted in applause when the House vote was announced.
The legislation would require women to wait 24 hours after consulting a doctor before having an abortion. During that
consultation, the doctor would have to inform women of any physical, psychological or so-called "situational" risk factors associated with the abortion.