The controversial concealed-weapons measure passed on general file Thursday, 33-11 in the Nebraska Legislature. That's more support than it has ever had.

The measure only needed 25 votes to advance. If the 33 votes hold, it would be enough to pass the legislation with an emergency clause. That means it would go into effect sooner and there would be enough votes to override any veto by the Governor.

Lawmakers on both sides of the issue expected heated and protracted debate.

"This is the fight at the OK Corral," said Speaker Kermit Brashear of Omaha before debate started.

Senator Jeannie Combs of Milligan, who belongs to the National Rifle Association, introduced her concealed-weapons measure (LB454) last year.

It was passed out of committee and sent to the floor for debate, but with the legislative session waning, she made a deal with Brashear to pull the measure from the agenda.

In return, Brashear committed to scheduling the measure at the beginning of this session.

"I believe a clear majority of Nebraskans support this bill," said Combs, who was wearing a 0.17-caliber hollow-point bullet on her lapel.

Supporters have been trying to get such a measure passed since 1996.

And Senator Ernie Chambers of Omaha vowed to filibuster the measure, as he has done before.

"I intend to ... defeat this bill," Chambers said, saying that Combs and others were doing the work of the NRA and gun manufacturers. "What Senator Combs and others who carry cards for that organization fail to ever mention or acknowledge is that there is a tremendous amount of money in guns and proliferation of guns."

Thirty-eight states have some form of concealed-weapons laws, according to the NRA.

Former Senator Gene Tyson of Norfolk introduced such a measure in 2003 that was advanced to second-round debate but never returned to the agenda. It later died because of a rule that gives legislation a two-year shelf-life to be passed.

A concealed-weapons measure was first introduced in 1996, and the 2003 vote marked the first time the bill had advanced in the Legislature since 1998. The bill that year cleared one of three rounds of debate before time ran out.

Supporters argue that being able to carry concealed weapons is a constitutional right. And they say the bill would merely put guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves against bad guys who already carry weapons.

Governor Dave Heineman supports the concept of legalizing the carrying of concealed weapons.

The bill would require applicants for a concealed-weapon permit to pass a background check and complete a handgun training and safety course. The permit would cost $100 and be valid for five years. Convicted felons would not be allowed to get a permit.

Concealed weapons would not be allowed in a variety of places, including bars, police stations, public meetings, athletic events, schools, churches, hospitals and banks. Signs also could be posted prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons in other locations.

It is estimated that licenses could be granted to more than 64,000 people in Nebraska.