Topeka ? In debating a bill Wednesday to permit Kansans to carry concealed handguns, pistols and revolvers, the House narrowed the scope of the measure.

Supporters argued the proposed “Personal and Family Protection Act” would allow Kansans to protect themselves. Opponents said the proposed “Personal and Family Protection Act” would lead to more gun-related violence instead of making Kansas safer.

The bill would require the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to issue permits to all qualified residents to carry concealed guns, starting Jan. 1. The state would charge $150 for permits.

The House’s initial debate centered on smaller details in the bill, including where concealed weapons could be carried and who would qualify for a permit.

As endorsed by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, the bill prohibited people convicted of a felony against a person, such as aggravated battery or rape, from obtaining a permit.

But the House voted 66-46 to prevent any convicted felon from obtaining a permit. The House also voted to ban concealed weapons at the Kansas State Fair and in the Statehouse, though people could carry them into legislative meetings outside the Capitol.

As debate continued, a few supporters of the measure worried it would be watered down too much.

“Let’s really pay attention,” said Rep. Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin. “I don’t want to get it cluttered up.”

Only Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin do not allow their residents to carry concealed weapons, though nine of the remaining 46 states place some restrictions on who can receive a permit.

Concealed-weapons bill forwarded to House (2-24-04) House panel approves concealed guns bill (2-23-04)

Last week, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld that state’s 2003 law but said four counties did not have to implement it because it represented an unfunded state mandate.

In Kansas, the Legislature approved a concealed carry bill in 1997, but then-Gov. Bill Graves vetoed it. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has said repeatedly she supports allowing only retired law-enforcement officials to receive concealed carry permits.

The KBI is neutral on the bill, and a bureau official told legislators last month that the agency did not want to be in charge of issuing permits. The KBI estimates it would need nine new employees and an additional $440,000 in its 2005 budget.

Under the bill, people would apply for permits at their county sheriff’s office, which would keep $40 of the application fee to cover costs. The rest of the funds would go to the KBI.

To qualify for a permit, Kansans would have to be 21 and be free of a “physical infirmity” preventing them handling a gun safely. In addition to felons, people treated for a significant mental illness or for drug or alcohol abuse within the previous five years could not obtain a permit.

People with permits still could not carry concealed weapons into schools, bars, taverns, jails, prisons, courthouses, polling places, local government meetings or hospitals for the mentally ill.