HCS HB 1344 & 1944 -- FIREARMS

SPONSOR:  Barnitz (Crump)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Sportsmanship, Safety and Firearms by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute allows individuals age 21 and over to transport a
lawfully possessed, concealable firearm anywhere in the passenger
compartment of a vehicle.

The substitute also creates Project Exile, which requires state
law enforcement agencies to review the cases of persons
prosecuted for various weapons offenses to assess the possibility
of prosecution pursuant to federal law.  Local law enforcement
agencies must cooperate with federal authorities if the federal
prosecution is likely to result in more restrictive bail,
stricter enforcement, or greater penalties being assessed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Savings to General Revenue Fund of
Unknown in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that HB 1344 will remove some of the
problems of compliance with local ordinances on transporting guns
in cars by having a consistent law throughout the state.  The
bill will give Missouri residents the same rights as residents of
other states traveling in Missouri and will help prevent the
theft of firearms by allowing them to be concealed in the
vehicle.

Supporters say that HB 1944 contains provisions which have
deterred crime in other cities and states because criminals are
put away for longer periods of time.  The bill will help law
enforcement agencies seek out the most stringent penalties
available for the offense.

Testifying for HB 1344 were Representative Crump; and
Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Testifying for HB 1944 were Representative Barnitz; National
Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action; and Jill
Baxter.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose HB 1344 say that the bill will
distract the legislature from passing a full-fledged concealed
carry bill and efforts should not be expended toward such a minor
change in the law.

Testifying against HB 1344 were Elgar Macy; Chris Meissen; and
Western Missouri Shooters Alliance.

Dana Estes, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:01 am