JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House has passed a bill that would allow guns on public transit, specifically making it legal for a concealed carry permit holder to bring weapons onto buses and other transportation systems.

House lawmakers approved the legislation, HB 328, with a 106-45 vote on Thursday after its third reading. The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration.

Under current Missouri law, it’s a crime to possess or conceal a weapon on a bus, and doing so is classified as a Class D felony of “possession and concealment of a dangerous or deadly weapon.”

While state statutes specifically apply to buses, they do not expressly mention other forms of public transportation, such as rail systems. However, broad statute definitions used for terms like “bus transportation company” and “terminal” suggest that statutes may extend to transit structures similar to buses.

As currently written, HB 328 looks to create a provision that would allow “Persons carrying a concealed firearm who lawfully possess a valid concealed carry permit” to bring firearms onto public transportation, including by bus.

The bill pushes for this while also reaffirming that concealed carry permit eligibility is contingent upon meeting a range of requirements, such as age, residency and background checks.

Furthermore, the bill includes a provision that would lower the minimum age for obtaining a concealed carry permit in Missouri from 19 to 18 years old.

A similar bill made rounds in the Missouri House last year, though it ultimately failed to clear the chamber.

Supporters may feel the bill expands Second Amendment protections, while critics may feel such changes may endanger passengers and public safety.

HB 328 now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration. The state’s ongoing legislative session runs through May 16.