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SB 922

SB 922 - This act creates the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor. A person under the age of 18 commits such offense if he or she knowingly possesses a handgun or ammunition for a handgun. This offense shall be a class A misdemeanor. This act shall not apply to any of the following people with the prior written consent of his or her parent or guardian: • A temporary transfer or possession of a handgun or ammunition by a person under the age of 18 in the course of employment, farming, target practice, hunting, or during a firearms safety course; • A person under the age of 18 who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard; • A transfer by inheritance of title of a handgun or ammunition to a person under the age of 18; and • A person under the age of 18 who is using a handgun or ammunition in self-defense. Additionally, this act provides that any firearm confiscated for the purposes of prosecution or investigation shall be returned to the owner if the firearm was used by a minor to commit an unlawful act and such minor was not the lawful owner of the firearm. This act is identical to SB 868 (2026), SB 34 (2025), and SB 790 (2024), is substantially similar to HB 2631 (2026), HB 695 (2025), and SB 217 (2023), and is identical to a provision contained in SB 1793 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephen Webber

Missouri bill creates criminal offense for minors to unlawfully possess firearms, with penalties to deter youth access to guns.

Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 922

Legislative bill overview

SB 922 establishes a new criminal offense in Missouri making it illegal for minors to unlawfully possess firearms. The bill creates statutory language defining the conditions under which a minor's firearm possession becomes a criminal violation, with specified penalties.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses youth access to firearms by creating enforceable criminal consequences for minors found in possession. Given that firearm-related injuries are a leading cause of death among U.S. youth, such laws aim to create legal deterrents and provide law enforcement with tools to intervene in potentially dangerous situations involving minors and guns.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Critics may argue the law infringes on constitutional rights, particularly regarding supervised hunting, sport shooting, or home defense scenarios where minors might lawfully handle firearms under adult supervision
  • Enforcement questions: Ambiguity about which possessions are "unlawful" versus permitted (hunting licenses, parental supervision, firearms safety courses) could lead to inconsistent enforcement or civil liberties concerns
  • Age and intent thresholds: Disagreement likely over what age threshold applies, whether intent matters (accident vs. intentional), and how penalties scale—affecting whether teenagers face felonies or misdemeanors

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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