Anyone with a permit to carry a concealed weapon in another state could also carry a gun in Alaska under a bill that narrowly passed the House on Friday.

Rep. Jeannette James, a North Pole Republican, said the change also would allow Alaskans to carry their weapons in more states, which will give them security while on vacation.

"My personal opinion is people who are law-abiding should have the right to carry concealed if they want to," James said.

But House Speaker Brian Porter, an Anchorage Republican, said Senate Bill 242 - which has already passed the Senate - would let people from states with far less stringent laws than Alaska's carry their guns here.

A former police chief, Porter took the unusual step of coming down onto the House floor to speak against the bill.

"It is time to finally, to the gun lobby, say you have gone far enough," he said. "The risk you present is too great for this state."

To be eligible for a concealed-carry permit in Alaska, a person must be 21, have no more than two class A misdemeanors within six years and no felonies, submit to a background check with fingerprints and complete a firearms safety course. About 15,000 Alaskans have permits.

Deputy Public Safety Commissioner Del Smith said of 39 states that have concealed handgun programs, 17 have less restrictive standards than Alaska. Some grant permits to people at age 18 and require no safety course.

Porter said when he reluctantly agreed to Alaska's initial concealed carry law, he was told the compromise was acceptable to the gun lobby.

"Since then, there has been amendment after amendment after amendment," he said. "This to me is the final step too far."

Alaska's law, passed in 1994, has been changed several times to loosen rules on where concealed guns can be carried and by whom, Smith said. Changes have included deleting a list of misdemeanor convictions that would make a person ineligible and removing a requirement that applicants disclose treatment for mental illness.

The original law recognized no permits from other states, but was later changed.

The bill passed the House 22-8. Juneau Reps. Republican Bill Hudson and Democrat Beth Kerttula opposed the measure.

Gov. Tony Knowles' Press Secretary Bob King said the governor has serious concerns about the bill, but would not say whether he would veto it.