An Act to amend 165.83 (2) (d), 175.37 (title) and 175.37 (2); to create 165.83 (2) (dd), 175.36 and 175.37 (1m) of the statutes; Relating to: a requirement to report lost or stolen firearms and providing a penalty. (FE)
Summary
SB947 would require a person who owns a firearm to report a stolen or missing gun to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours of discovering the theft or loss. If the firearm is later recovered, the owner must also report the recovery as soon as practicable. The bill directs law enforcement to create a file for each report, forward it to the Department of Justice, and have the information entered into a new database for stolen or lost firearms that can be used by law enforcement to locate firearms and identify violators.
The bill also requires commercial firearm sellers and transferors to give buyers or transferees a written notice explaining the new reporting duty and the penalties for failing to comply. It applies prospectively to discoveries of stolen or lost firearms and to sales or transfers occurring on the effective date. The measure amends existing statutes governing stolen or lost property reporting and firearm transfer warnings, and creates new statutory provisions specifically addressing lost or stolen firearms.
Impact
SB947 would add a new legal duty for firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours, creating a new offense structure with a Class A misdemeanor for a first violation and a Class I felony for repeat violations. It also creates a related reporting and data-sharing framework for law enforcement and the Department of Justice, including a dedicated database for stolen or lost firearms. In addition, it expands firearm transfer warning requirements by obligating retail sellers and transferors to notify purchasers of the reporting rule and penalties, with a separate penalty for noncompliance by sellers or transferors.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was introduced with multiple Senate and Assembly cosponsors and later gained an additional Senate coauthor, suggesting some legislative support. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of floor debate or formal opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s structure, it appears to be framed as a public-safety and law-enforcement measure rather than a broad firearms restriction.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the mandatory 24-hour reporting requirement, the criminal penalties for noncompliance, and the obligation placed on firearm sellers and transferors to provide written notice. Supporters would likely emphasize crime prevention, recovery of stolen firearms, and improved tracing and enforcement, while opponents may object to the felony penalty for repeat violations, the administrative burden on gun owners and retailers, and the possibility of penalizing owners who discover a loss late or under difficult circumstances. The bill also creates a new firearm-specific database, which could raise privacy or implementation concerns among critics.
Crossfiled
An Act to amend 165.83 (2) (d), 175.37 (title) and 175.37 (2); to create 165.83 (2) (dd), 175.36 and 175.37 (1m) of the statutes; Relating to: a requirement to report lost or stolen firearms and providing a penalty. (FE)