SB 1171 creates two new criminal offenses in Missouri for unsafe firearm storage: community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm in the first degree and in the second degree. The bill defines “secure gun storage” and “unauthorized person,” and it makes it a crime when a person stores or leaves a firearm where they know or reasonably should know an unauthorized person may access it, and that access leads to specified harm. First-degree liability applies when the unauthorized person causes personal injury or death with the firearm, while second-degree liability applies when the unauthorized person discharges the firearm, brandishes it in a threatening way in public, or uses it in the commission of a crime.
Impact
The bill would add sections 571.400 and 571.401 to chapter 571 of the Missouri Revised Statutes and create new felony penalties for firearm owners who fail to secure guns in circumstances that lead to harm. First-degree community endangerment due to unsafe storage would be a class C felony, and second-degree would be a class D felony. The measure also establishes exceptions for firearms stored in secure gun storage or with a trigger lock, for supervised minor possession with parental permission, for lawful self-defense, and for firearms taken during unlawful entry if the theft is reported within five days.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety and gun-safety proposal aimed at preventing unauthorized access to firearms. The caption and structure suggest a preventative approach focused on accountability for unsafe storage. Because there are no transcripts or vote records provided, there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent intent and policy framing.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the bill’s creation of criminal liability for firearm storage practices and the standard that a person “knows or reasonably should know” an unauthorized person may gain access to the firearm. Supporters would likely emphasize preventing child access, theft, accidental discharge, and gun misuse, while opponents may view the measure as expanding criminal penalties for lawful gun owners and potentially imposing broad or ambiguous duties to secure firearms. The exceptions for self-defense, supervised minors, and reported theft appear designed to narrow those concerns, but the scope of the felony offenses would still be central to debate.