HB 610 -- Storage of Firearms

Co-Sponsors:  Jones, Haywood, Burnett, Wilson (42), Fraser,
Bland, El-Amin, Brooks, Donnelly

This bill creates the crime of negligent storage of a firearm, a
class A misdemeanor.  A person commits the crime when he or she
stores a firearm on any premises under his or her control; knows
or reasonably should know that a minor has access to the firearm;
and a minor obtains the firearm and causes death or serious
injury to a person, exhibits the firearm in a public place, or
uses it to threaten injury to any person.

The bill defines minor as anyone age 18 or younger.

The crime does not occur when:

(1)  The firearm was in a securely locked container;

(2)  The firearm was secured by a locking mechanism making the
firearm inoperable;

(3)  The firearm was in a dismantled state that rendered it
inoperable and the parts needed to make it operable were in a
securely locked container;

(4)  The firearm was unloaded and the ammunition was in a
securely locked container;

(5)  The owner of the firearm was a peace officer;

(6)  The minor obtained the firearm in an act of self defense;

(7)  The minor obtained the firearm as the result of an unlawful
entry;

(8)  The minor was supervised by a person age 21 or older and was
engaged in hunting, sporting, or any other lawful purpose; or

(9)  The minor was engaged in an agricultural enterprise.

The bill sets forth a notice that must be displayed any place
where firearms are sold explaining the negligent storage of
firearms law.  Persons not complying with this notice provision
will be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to
$5,000 and a sentence of up to 30 days in jail.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am