HB 87 -- Concealable Firearms

Co-Sponsors:  Ward, Sager

This bill allows county sheriffs to issue permits to retired
peace officers to carry concealed weapons.  Permits are valid for
three years and may be renewed for three years.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OBTAINING A PERMIT

To qualify for a permit, a retired peace officer must be a U.S.
citizen and a resident of Missouri for at least six months, not
have pled to or been found guilty of a crime that is punishable
by a prison sentence of more than one year, not be a fugitive,
not have been dishonorably discharged from the military, not have
been adjudged mentally incompetent, have completed at least 15
years of service, and be in good standing at the time of
retiring.  The permit application must include whether the
applicant meets the requirements for obtaining a permit and
documentation signed by a physician that the applicant is in good
physical and mental health.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The bill requires the sheriff to conduct a criminal background
check when a concealed weapons permit is issued or renewed and to
approve or deny a permit application within seven days of
receipt.  Permit application and renewal fees may not exceed $25.
If the sheriff refuses to issue or renew a permit, the refusal
must be in writing and state the reasons for the refusal.  The
bill contains an appeals process for aggrieved applicants.  The
bill also allows for the automatic revocation of a concealed
weapons permit for a violation of the requirements to obtain a
permit, for failure to maintain peace officer certification, or
for revocation or suspension of peace officer certification.

The bill also exempts retired peace officers holding valid
concealed weapons permits from the unlawful use of a weapon
statute.  Any violation of this law is a class A misdemeanor.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:10 am