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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Department of Revenue Director Brian Long has resigned amid a controversy over the agency's handling of concealed gun permit documents.

   Gov. Jay Nixon announced Long's resignation Monday and said it was effective immediately. The governor's statement did not say why Long resigned or whether he was asked to do so.

   Long was appointed to the job by Nixon on Dec. 13.

   That came shortly after the Department of Revenue had launched a new process for issuing driver's licenses in which clerks are making electronic copies of applicants' personal documents, such as concealed carry permits.  Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential for people's privacy rights to be violated.

   During a Senate committee hearing last week, Long had declined to stop scanning the documents.

   JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House wants to block the scanning and computer storage of personal documents needed to get a driver's license or state identification card.

   Legislation given initial approval 141-14 on Wednesday would bar the Revenue Department from scanning documents needed for driver's licenses or concealed weapons permits. Documents that have been scanned would need to be destroyed.

   The bill needs another vote before moving to the Senate, where members have criticized the driver's license procedure.

   Previously, license clerks looked at applicants' documents, took a photo and printed the license. Under the new system, licenses are printed and mailed by a contractor several days after people apply. Revenue Department officials have said the new procedure makes licenses more secure and saves money.

   Some Missouri senators are pressing the state's driver's license agency to stop collecting documents from people with concealed gun permits.

   But the head of the agency said Wednesday he's reluctant to halt the practice.

   Since December, clerks in Missouri's local license offices have been making electronic copies of concealed weapons permits for a state database of driver's license applicants. Concealed gun endorsements are noted on driver's licenses.

   Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about the document database. During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Wednesday, Chairman Kurt Schaefer asked the Revenue Department to stop making and keeping copies of concealed gun permits.

   Revenue Director Brian Long said he's unwilling to commit to that, because the scanned documents provide protection against fraud. But Long also said he will consider it further.