Changes the offense of weapons possession by adding high-capacity firearm magazines
HB878 would amend Missouri’s weapons-possession law by repealing and reenacting section 571.020 to add “high-capacity magazine” to the list of prohibited weapons-related items. Under the bill, a high-capacity magazine is defined as a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that can hold, or be readily restored or converted to hold, more than ten rounds of ammunition. The bill also retains existing prohibitions on explosive weapons, gas guns, explosive projectiles, knuckles, and certain federally regulated firearms and accessories such as machine guns, short-barreled rifles or shotguns, silencers, and switchblade knives when possessed in violation of federal law.
The bill would expand Missouri’s criminal weapons statute by creating a new offense for knowingly possessing, manufacturing, transporting, repairing, or selling high-capacity magazines, and it would classify that offense as a Class D felony. It also preserves limited exceptions for conduct tied to official duties, lawful commercial transactions with authorized entities, industrial or commercial use of explosive weapons, museum displays, and dramatic performances. In practical terms, the bill would affect firearm owners, sellers, manufacturers, and anyone handling magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds, while leaving the existing framework for other prohibited weapons largely intact.
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a gun-control proposal aimed at restricting access to high-capacity magazines. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal legislative support or opposition can be measured from the transcript record. The caption and structure of the bill suggest a public-safety rationale, but the absence of discussion prevents a fuller read on stakeholder positions.
The main point of contention is likely the new prohibition on high-capacity magazines and whether magazines over ten rounds should be treated as contraband under state law. Supporters would likely frame the bill as a firearms safety and crime-prevention measure, while opponents would likely argue it burdens lawful gun ownership, self-defense, sporting use, and commerce. Another likely issue is the breadth of the definition, which covers devices that can be readily restored or converted to accept more than ten rounds, potentially raising enforcement and interpretation concerns.