The 2014 legislative session is underway, and several pro-gun and anti-gun bills have been filed including:
Pro-Gun Legislation Introduced:
Senate Bill 745 – sponsored by state Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18), includes right-to-carry cleanup language and technical corrections related to moving the concealed carry permit process to the sheriffs in 2013. SB 745 is scheduled for consideration in the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Monday, February 24.
House Bill 1778 – sponsored by state Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-20), would prevent a landlord from prohibiting tenants from possessing a legally owned or possessed firearm in an individual residence or common areas. HB 1778 has been referred to the House General Laws Committee but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
House Bill 1591 – sponsored by state Representative Wanda Brown (R-57), states that there shall be no more than 40 students per qualified firearms safety instructor during the classroom portion of a firearms safety training course. Current Missouri law only allows 40 students per classroom, regardless of whether or not there is more than one instructor present. HB 1591 has been referred to the House General Laws Committee but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
House Bill 1539 – sponsored by state Representative Mike Kelley (R-127), would modify the current concealed carry training requirement which requires an individual shoot both a revolver and semiautomatic pistol, and would allow someone to shoot only one firearm rather than both firearms. This bill has been referred to the House General Laws Committee but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Anti-Gun Legislation Introduced:
House Bill 1172 – sponsored by state Representative Michael Butler (D-79), erodes one's right to self-defense in his or her own residence by removing the provision which states that a person has no duty to retreat. This bill has been referred to the House General Laws Committee but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
House Bill 1399 – sponsored by state Representative Brandon Ellington (D-22), would impose a sales tax on every retail sale of any handgun or ammunition, at the rate of one cent per transaction, for providing funds for mental health services. HB 1399 has been referred to the House General Laws Committee but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
House Bill 1446 – sponsored by state Representative Stacey Newman (D-87), is so-called “universal” background check legislation. HB 1446 would require all sales or transfers of firearms be processed through a licensed firearms dealer. This type of legislation is the first step in “universal registration” and clearly over-reaches and infringes on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. HB 1446 has been referred to the House General Laws Committee but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Senate Bill 549 – sponsored by state Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-14), requires a parent or guardian to notify a school district, or the governing body of a private or charter school, that he or she owns a firearm within thirty days of enrolling the child in school or becoming the owner of a firearm. This legislation does nothing but require a parent or guardian to reveal private information of gun ownership and would in no way deter crime. SB 549 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee but a hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
Senate Bill 556 and Senate Bill 565 – sponsored by state Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-5), both would require firearm owners to report the loss or theft of a firearm within 24 hours to a local law enforcement agency. Failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm is punishable by a fine of $1,000. Any subsequent offense of failing to report as required is a Class A misdemeanor. In addition to these identical provisions in both SB 556 and SB 565, Senate Bill 556 would also establish a firearms recovery pilot program. Grants will be distributed to law enforcement agencies under this program to be implemented by the state Department of Public Safety. In order to support their participation in this program, these grants would allow for individuals to be given gift certificates to grocery stores in exchange for turning in their firearms. Therefore, hard-earned taxpayer dollars will be used for something that will not decrease violent crime, since criminals do not participate in gun “buybacks.” Hearings have been conducted on both of these bills but no action was taken.
Please contact your state legislators and urge them to support those bills that advance your Second Amendment rights and oppose those bills that would restrict those rights. Contact information for your state Senator can be found here and for your state Representative can be found here.
Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated on movement of the bills listed above. You can also check www.NRAILA.org for any updates on legislation.
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