SB 556 - This act includes provisions relating to reporting requirements for the loss or theft of firearms, expungement of criminal records, and a grant program to support gun buyback programs. REPORTING LOSS OR THEFT OF A FIREARM - 319.515
This act requires 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.
If the person has a concealed carry permit and fails to immediately pay any fine ordered for the failure to report, then that person's permit must be suspended for a year. Those who do not have a permit who fail to pay the fine are ineligible to receive a permit for a year.
EXPUNGEMENT OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL RECORDS - 610.140
Under current law, a person may petition for expungement of records relating to certain criminal offenses by filing a petition in the court in which the person was found guilty of the offense.
This act expands the list of offenses that are eligible for expungement to include prostitution, misdemeanor or felony drug crimes not involving weapons, and misdemeanor or felony offenses of criminal nonsupport.
This provision is similar to SB 310 (2013) and HB 1344 (2012).
GUN BUYBACK PROGRAMS - 650.605
This act establishes a firearms recovery pilot program. Under the program to be implemented by the Department of Public Safety, grants will be distributed to law enforcement agencies to support their participation in programs in which individuals are given gift certificates to grocery stores in exchange for firearms. The department is granted rulemaking authority for the implementation of the pilot program.
The Firearms Recovery Fund is created under this act. The General Assembly must appropriate $300,000 to the fund during the 2015, 2016, and 2017 fiscal years.
This act requires all firearms surrendered to a participating law enforcement agency be sent to the Department of Public Safety unless the firearm is stolen or needed as evidence. Firearms may be distributed to the Department of Conservation for training purposes.
This act provides immunity from prosecution for unlawfully possessing weapons and unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon to any person who is on an immediate, direct route to the firearms recovery program site.
The provisions of this act expire on August 28, 2018.
MEGHAN LUECKE