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HB 2469

Modifies provisions relating to firearms

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mazzie Christensen and 2 co-sponsors

HB 2469 would preempt all local firearm regulations, ban most local open-carry rules, and allow private lawsuits and $50,000 penalties to enforce statewide firearm controls.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#civilpenalties #firearms #politicalsubdivisions
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Bill Summary · HB 2469

Summary of HB 2469 (2026) – Missouri

Main purpose and intent

  • Repeals existing Missouri preemption language that currently broadly occupies the field of firearms regulation and restricts local governments from enacting firearm-related laws.
  • Reinstates a prohibition on political subdivisions from regulating firearms beyond sale, purchase, ownership, or possession, with limited exceptions previously allowed for open carrying under current law.
  • Establishes penalties and remedies for violations by local governments, and allows private enforcement to protect individuals’ rights related to firearm regulation.

Key provisions and changes

  • Preemption clarified and strengthened:
    • The Missouri General Assembly would occupy and preempt the entire field of legislation touching firearms, components, ammunition, and supplies. This would bar local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, etc.) from enacting orders, ordinances, or regulations in this field, with limited exceptions.
  • Limited local ordinance exception narrowed (and as proposed, largely removed):
    • Current allowance for local ordinances that conform exactly to Sections 571.010 to 571.070 or regulate the discharge of firearms within a jurisdiction (and other narrow conforming provisions) would be restricted under the new language.
  • Open carry-specific provisions:
    • The bill’s text indicates it would repeal the current exception allowing localities to regulate open carrying of firearms. Practically, this means local governments could no longer regulate open carry to the same extent (subject to the broader preemption).
  • Nuisance and safety exemptions:
    • The design, marketing, manufacture, distribution, or sale of firearms or ammunition remains not an abnormally dangerous activity and not a public or private nuisance.
  • Immunity for manufacturers and dealers:
    • Prohibits local governments from suing firearm manufacturers, trade associations, or dealers for damages, abatement, or injunctive relief resulting from lawful design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, or sale, with exceptions for individual negligence or defective design/manufacture.
  • Private enforcement and penalties for violations by local governments:
    • Local governments enacting ordinances that regulate firearms in violation of the bill would face civil penalties of $50,000 per occurrence.
    • Private individuals would have standing to seek injunctive relief or damages for violations.
    • Courts may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party (excluding the state or political subdivisions as prevailing parties).
    • Sovereign immunity would not be an affirmative defense in actions brought under these provisions.

Who or what would be affected

  • State government: Retains primary authority over firearms regulation through preemption.
  • Political subdivisions (counties, cities, towns, villages, and other municipalities): Would face a broad restriction on enacting firearm-related ordinances; potential liability for violations and civil penalties if they enact noncompliant regulations.
  • Firearms manufacturers, trade associations, and dealers: Shielded from certain local lawsuits relating to lawful firearms sales and activity; limitations may still apply for breach of contract or warranty actions by government entities.
  • Private individuals and businesses: Gaining standing to challenge local ordinances and pursue injunctive relief or damages for violations of the preemption provisions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Referred to Emerging Issues (H) for consideration.
  • Note on process history: Introduced in the 2026 session, with prior prefilings and comparable measures in prior sessions.
  • If enacted, the new section would replace the existing Section 21.750 in Missouri Revised Statutes, establishing the statewide framework and enforcement mechanisms described above.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The bill would significantly limit the range of firearms-related regulatory experiments or restrictions that local governments can pursue.
  • Private enforcement and penalties create strong incentives for local compliance and may lead to increased legal challenges in jurisdictions that attempt to regulate firearms in ways inconsistent with the preemption.
  • For residents and businesses, enforcement mechanisms (injunctive relief, $50,000 per violation) provide a pathway to challenge local restrictions and seek corrective action.

Note: The summary reflects the bill text as introduced and the accompanying explanatory notes. If the bill is amended, details could change, including the scope of open-carry regulation, exact penalties, and enforcement procedures.

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

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