Missouri’s Firearm Reform Bill Heads to Governor Jay Nixon’s Desk!

On Friday, May 13, the Missouri General Assembly gave final approval to the NRA-backed House Bill 294, sending the major firearm reform bill to Governor Jay Nixon’s desk for his signature.

House Bill 294, authored by state Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-20) and sponsored in the Senate by state Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18), is a comprehensive firearm reform bill that addresses a number of Right-to-Carry issues important to Missouri’s law-abiding gun owners. The Missouri Senate passed House Bill 294 by an overwhelming 27 to 6 vote, while the House of Representatives approved this measure by a 125 to 25 vote.

Missourians are now one step away from lowering the Right-to-Carry requirement age to 21 years old - the same age requirement as most other Right-to-Carry states.  This important reform bill would also make other important corrections regarding current state firearms laws, some of which are already covered under federal law. 

HB 294, including Senate committee amendments, would:

• Prohibit sales taxes on firearms or ammunition from being higher than those for sporting goods, sporting equipment, hunting equipment, and accessories;
• Allow residents to purchase long guns from non-contiguous states and vice versa by removing non-penalty merchandising practices provisions;
• Lower the concealed carry age to 21;
• Allow a person to possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell a machine gun, short-barreled rifle or shotgun, or firearm suppressor if he or she complies with federal law;
• Create the crime of fraudulent firearms purchases if a person knowingly solicits, persuades, encourages, or entices a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms or ammunition to transfer a firearm or ammunition under circumstances which the person knows would violate federal or state laws; and
• Enable members of the General Assembly and their staff who possess valid concealed carry endorsements to carry a firearm for self-defense in the Capitol.  

Please contact Governor Jay Nixon to respectfully urge him to sign HB 294! To contact the Governor by phone, call (573) 751-3222 and by e-mail, click here.