SB 159 - This act allows a person to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm if he meets certain requirements. This act is similar to SB 679 from last session except the County Sheriff, rather than the Highway Patrol, is the permitting agency. Retired judges, police officers, and prosecutors may carry concealed firearms without a permit.

WEAPONS OFFENSES: A person who: 1) possesses and discharges; or 2) brandishes a firearm while intoxicated is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Under current law, possession of a firearm while intoxicated is a crime.

A person who carries a firearm onto school property or carries a concealed firearm without a permit commits a Class D felony.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONCEALABLE FIREARM: A person who was adjudicated in juvenile court of any offense constituting a dangerous felony, where a concealable firearm was used in the crime, and who later carries a concealable firearm commits a Class C felony. A person who has been adjudicated of such offense may not obtain a permit to carry a concealable firearm.

PERMITS FOR CONCEALED FIREARMS: A section parallel to Section 571.090, RSMo, is created for obtaining a permit to carry concealed (571.091). The requirements to obtain a permit are the same as those for obtaining a permit to carry a concealable firearm (571.090) and the following requirements are added: 1) the applicant has not exhibited violent behavior in the past five years; and 2) the applicant has taken at least sixteen hours of firearms training. Applications shall be made to the sheriff where the applicant resides.

Any person who forges or alters a permit or obtains a permit by false representation is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A permit costs $75 and is valid for three years. Of the $75 fee, $40 shall be paid to General Revenue and $35 shall be paid to the Police Officers Standards and Training (POST) fund. If a permit application is denied, a person may appeal such denial to the small claims court.

JAMES KLAHR