SJR 119 - This Constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, repeals provisions relating to the right to bear arms and provides that in accordance with the laws of the United States, any county, St. Louis City, or Kansas City, may enact ordinances regulating permits for the possession of a firearm and requiring background checks. Any such ordinance shall exempt any active duty or retired law enforcement officer, any full-time judge, or any person required to be armed as a condition of employment. Any penalty shall not exceed $1,000 or one year imprisonment. This amendment is identical to SJR 119 (2026), SJR 49 (2025), SJR 36 (2025), HJR 144 (2024), and HJR 140 (2024). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

2026 Regular Session

Proposes giving counties, St. Louis City, and Kansas City authority to regulate firearms locally via permits, regulations, and penalties, aligned with federal law.

Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee

Summary of SJR 119 (2026) – Missouri

Purpose and intent

SJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment that would repeal the current right-to-bear-arms provision in Missouri and replace it with a framework allowing local governments to regulate firearm possession, carrying, and transfer through ordinances. The approach is aligned with federal Second Amendment constraints and Supreme Court guidance, but shifts authority to regulate firearms to counties and certain cities (St. Louis City and Kansas City).

Key provisions and changes

Repeals Section 23 of Article I of the Missouri Constitution and enacts a new Section 23.

Authorization for local control:

Counties, St. Louis City, and Kansas City may enact ordinances to regulate possession, carrying, or transfer of firearms within their jurisdiction, subject to federal law and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

Permit system and background checks:

Ordinances may create a permit or certificate system for possession or carrying of firearms.
Permits may include a fee sufficient to cover issuing costs, but not exceed those costs; permits/certificates issued would be valid for up to five years.
Local governments may obtain background check information from the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or other government sources.

Cross-jurisdiction recognition:

Ordinances may apply to nonresidents, but must recognize permits from the permit holder’s county of residence as valid within the local jurisdiction.

Exemptions:

Active duty or retired law enforcement officers certified under state peace officer standards and training requirements.
Full-time judges.
Persons 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:

Violations under an ordinance may incur penalties up to $1,000 in fines or up to one year in county jail, or both.
Ordinances may authorize law enforcement to seize firearms from individuals deemed ineligible to possess them, upon probable cause.

Who is affected

Local governments: Counties, St. Louis City, and Kansas City gain explicit authority to regulate firearms via local ordinances.

Private residents and nonresidents: Residents and nonresidents within these jurisdictions would be subject to local permit requirements and penalties if such ordinances are enacted.

Exempt groups: Active duty/retired law enforcement, judges, and those employed in roles requiring armed duty remain exempt from certain permit requirements.

Law enforcement and judiciary: Retains enforcement powers; possible firearm seizure for ineligible individuals.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Placement on the ballot: The amendment would be submitted to Missouri voters at the next general election after the 2026 session, specifically the general election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2026, or at a governor-called special election for that purpose.

Legislative path: If approved by voters, the amendment modifies constitutional text and directs how localities may regulate firearms within constitutional and federal constraints.

Notes

The bill’s language mirrors prior versions (SJR 49, SJR 36 in 2025; HJR 144, HJR 140 in 2024), indicating a consistent approach across sessions.

The proposal emphasizes local control while preserving compliance with federal law and notable exemptions for certain responsible or mandatory-armed individuals.