"Fighting to protect your rights, every case and every time."

MISSOURI SENATE BILLS TO WATCH

Senate Bill 660

Expands the crime of unlawful use of a weapon to include discharging a firearm in Kansas City for celebratory purposes

 SB 660 - This act expands the crime of unlawful use of weapons to include the discharge of a firearm in the air for celebratory purposes in Kansas City.

This crime is a Class D felony (up to 4 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00).

Effective August 28, 2010.

Senate Bill 646

Creates the crime of negligent storage of a firearm

SB 646 - This act makes criminally negligent storage of a firearm a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.00).

A person commits the crime of criminally negligent storage of a firearm if the person stores or keeps any loaded firearm or unloaded firearm with ammunition under his or her control and knows or reasonably should know a minor is capable of gaining access to the firearm and the minor uses the firearm to threaten or cause the death of or injury to any person.

A person does not commit this crime if: (1) the firearm is stored in a locked box; (2) the firearm has a locking mechanism; (3) the firearm is stored in a dismantled state and at least one part which is essential to the operation of the firearm is stored in a locked box; or (4) the ammunition is stored away from an unloaded firearm in a locked box.

A minor who uses a weapon in self-defense or is being supervised while engaged in hunting or another lawful purpose does not fall under this law. A person does not commit this crime if the minor obtained possession of the firearm due to unlawful entry onto the premises or the person is a peace officer and the minor obtains the firearm during such person performing his or her official duties.

This act requires firearm dealers to post a written warning about the provisions in a conspicuous place where firearms are sold.

Effective August 28, 2010.

MISSOURI HOUSE BILLS TO FOLLOW

House Bill 1685

Revises the crime of murder in the first degree to include knowingly causing the death of a child younger than 18 years of age when a heinous element is involved in the commission of the crime

House Bill 1697

Changes the laws regarding the crime of driving while intoxicated

House Bill 1478

Authorizes the expungement of certain criminal records including convictions for any nonviolent crime, misdemeanor, or nonviolent drug violation