House committee passes HB1936 to house floor

The Missouri House general laws committee passed House Bill 1936, and several other gun-related bills Feb. 27 despite a divide in party lines. All bills passed in committee will be sent to the House floor to be voted on.

The votes tallied 8-4 in committee after a six-hour deliberation in Jefferson City. The proposed changes would eliminate 15 gun-free zones from state law, and would allow lawful gun owners to bring firearms into places like state universities, churches and bars.

Democratic representatives offered several amendments to the bills, such as raising the required age for conceal and carry and removing bars from the definition of gun-free zones, but all were turned down.

Republican representative from O’Fallon Nicholas Schroer said he thinks passing the bill is a step in the right direction on keeping Missouri families safe.

In addition to HB1936, the committee passed a variety of other gun-related bills:

HB 1865 allows gun owners to transports their firearms in their vehicles even in private property as long as the vehicle remains locked.

HB 1256 set restrictions on the use of firearm tracking technology.

HB 1326 authorizes a tax deduction for firearm training and safety courses.

HB 1937 prohibits political subdivisions from regulating the open carry of firearms.

The bills will move to the House floor for consideration.

Two other democratic-sponsored laws failed in-committee and will not see the House floor.

HB 1342 would have prohibited individuals from selling or transferring firearm accessories to a person under the age of 18, and HB 2281 would have required all sales or transfers be processed through a licensed firearms dealer. The bills also included a measure to require background checks when purchasing a firearm.

The bills are currently not on the House of Representatives floor schedule.