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Bill

HJR 156

Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to firearms

2026 Regular Session Introduced by LaDonna Appelbaum

Gives local governments in Missouri power to regulate firearms through ordinances, including permits, fees, and background checks, within their jurisdictions.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#constitutionalamendments #firearms #politicalsubdivisions
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Bill Summary · HJR 156

Purpose and overarching goal

  • HJR 156 proposes a constitutional amendment for Missouri to repeal Section 23 of Article I and replace it with a new Section 23.
  • The new section would remove the current explicit guarantee of an individual right to keep and bear arms and instead permit counties, the City of St. Louis, and the City of Kansas City to regulate possession, carrying, or transfer of firearms within their jurisdictions, subject to federal and state constitutional constraints.
  • The measure would authorize local firearm-regulation ordinances, including permitting systems, with specified limitations and exemptions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Repeal and substitute:

    • Repeals the current constitutional language guaranteeing the right to keep and bear arms.
    • Adopts a new Section 23 outlining local government authority to regulate firearms.

  • Local regulatory authority (within city/county limits):

    • Counties, the City of St. Louis, and the City of Kansas City may regulate possession, carrying, and transfer of firearms by ordinance, consistent with the Second Amendment and Supreme Court/federal law.
    • Ordinances may authorize the issuance of permits or certificates and may impose fees to cover costs, but fees must be limited to actual costs.

  • Permit/certificate specifics:

    • Permits or certificates issued under such ordinances shall be valid for no more than five years.
    • Localities may obtain background check information from the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or other governmental sources.

  • Nonresident recognition:

    • Ordinances may apply to both residents and nonresidents.
    • Any ordinance must recognize as valid a firearm permit or certificate issued by the permit holder’s county of residence.

  • Exemptions and eligibility:

    • The ordinance shall exempt certain individuals from regulation, including:
    • Active duty or retired law enforcement officers certified as compliant with peace officer standards and training.
    • Full-time judges.
    • Individuals required to be armed as a condition of employment (e.g., licensed security guards, government employees, including military members) during active employment.

  • Penalties and enforcement:

    • Ordinances may impose penalties, but not exceeding:
    • A fine of up to $1,000, and/or
    • Imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both.
    • Ordinances may authorize law enforcement to seize firearms from individuals who are legally ineligible to possess them, based on probable cause.

Who is affected

  • Local governments (counties; City of St. Louis; City of Kansas City) would gain explicit authority to regulate firearms via local ordinances.
  • Firearm owners and possessors within these jurisdictions would be subject to local permit requirements, background checks, and potential penalties under local ordinances.
  • Nonresidents would be covered to the extent local ordinances apply to nonresidents and would need to recognize permits from their county of residence.
  • Exempted groups (law enforcement, judges, and specific employment-related armed personnel) would be exempt from certain local restrictions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • This is a proposed constitutional amendment to be voted on by Missouri voters.
  • Timing: Submitted to voters at the next general election in Missouri (date specified as Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026) or at a special election called by the governor for that purpose.
  • If approved by voters, the amendment would take effect per the constitutional process after certification.

Additional notes

  • The bill is presented as an amendment to the Missouri Constitution, with explicit references to compliance with the Second Amendment and limiting by federal law and Supreme Court decisions.
  • The measure resembles prior proposals (e.g., HJR 158 and HJR 57 from 2025) in granting localities more control over firearm regulation.

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

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