HCS HB 1344 & 1944 -- FIREARMS (Crump)

CONCEALED FIREARMS IN MOTOR VEHICLES

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

PROJECT EXILE

The substitute 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.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS

Under current law, the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm
only applies to concealable firearms.  The substitute changes the
crime to unlawful possession of any firearm.

CONCEALED CARRY FOR PEACE OFFICERS

The substitute specifies that all peace officers may carry
concealable weapons, whether they are on or off duty.

County sheriffs are allowed to issue permits to retired peace
officers to carry concealed weapons.  Permits are valid for three
years and may be renewed for three years.  The substitute also
exempts retired peace officers holding valid concealed weapons
permits from the unlawful use of a weapon statute.

To qualify for a permit, a retired peace officer must be a U.S.
citizen and a resident of Missouri for at least six months, not
have pled to or been found guilty of a crime that is punishable
by a prison sentence of more than one year, not have pled guilty
to or been convicted of domestic assault, not have an order of
protection pending which would bar the applicant from possessing
a firearm, not be a fugitive, not have been dishonorably
discharged from the military, not have been adjudged mentally
incompetent, and have completed at least 15 years of service and
be in good standing at the time of retiring.  The permit
application must include whether the applicant meets the
requirements for obtaining a permit and documentation signed by a
physician that the applicant is in good physical and mental
health.

The substitute requires the sheriff to conduct a criminal
background check when a concealed weapons permit is issued or
renewed and to approve or deny a permit application within seven
days of receipt.  The applicant is required to display a valid
photo identification to the sheriff.  Permit application and
renewal fees may not exceed $25.  If the sheriff refuses to issue
or renew a permit, the refusal must be in writing and state the
reasons for the refusal.  The substitute contains an appeals
process for aggrieved applicants and also allows for the
automatic revocation of a concealed weapons permit for a
violation of the requirements to obtain a permit, failure to
maintain peace officer certification, or revocation or suspension
of peace officer certification.

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

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