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HB1857 • 2026

Modifies the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm

Modifies the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm

Crime Education Firearms
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Butz, Steve (081)
Last action
2026-05-15
Official status
05/15/2026 - Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Effective date
2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide detailed information about enforcement mechanisms or specific penalties for individuals who complete hunter education courses after violating the law.

Changes Rules for Possessing Firearms Illegally

This bill modifies Missouri law regarding unlawful possession of firearms, including who can legally possess a gun and the penalties for breaking these rules.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes part of the old rule that said people with certain criminal records cannot have guns.
  • Adds new reasons why some people, like those who are drunk or drugged often, cannot have guns.
  • Makes it illegal for young people under 18 to carry guns on public property unless they have completed a hunter education course.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who might be affected by changes in gun possession laws
  • Law enforcement agencies that enforce these laws

Terms To Know

Felony
A very serious crime that can lead to a long prison sentence.
Antique firearm
An old gun, usually from before the year 1899, which is not considered dangerous and has special rules for possession.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how law enforcement will enforce these new rules.
  • It's unclear if there are any specific penalties for people who break this rule but complete a hunter education course later.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-15 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

  2. 2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read Second Time (H)

  3. 2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read First Time (H)

  4. 2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

Modifies the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1857
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE BUTZ.
4655H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o repeal section 571.070, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to
unlawful possession of a firearm, with penalty provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 571.070, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu
2 thereof, to be known as section 571.070, to read as follows:
571.070. 1. A person commits the of fense of unlawful possession of a firearm if such
2 person knowingly has any firearm in his or her possession and:
3 (1) Such person has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this state, or of a
4 crime under the laws of any state or of the United States which, if committed within this state,
5 would be a felony; [ or ]
6 (2) Such person is a fugitive from justice, is habitually in an intoxicated or drugged
7 condition, or is currently adjudged mentally incompetent ; or
8 (3) Such person is under eighteen years of age and is on public pr operty .
9 However , possession under this subdivision is not an offense if such person has
10 completed the hunter education course that is re quired by the department of
11 conservation to obtain a hunting permit in this state .
12 2. Unlawful possession of a firearm is a class C felony , unless a person has been
13 convicted of a dangerous felony as defined in section 556.061, or the person has a prior
14 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in which case it is a class B felony .
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
15 3. The provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section shall not apply to
16 the possession of an antique firearm.
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HB 1857 2