Criminal Justice (Firearms)

SB 1102 automatically restores the right to own, transport, or possess firearms for most individuals after they complete their sentence (including probation or parole) for a felony conviction. This replaces prior law that required separate applications for restoration. The bill excludes individuals convicted of violent felonies (as specifically defined, including murder, assault, or violating protection orders), those required to register as sex offenders (unless removed from the registry), or certain other offenses listed in the law. It directly affects Missouri residents with felony convictions who have finished their sentences but were previously barred from firearm ownership.

SB 1158 creates new legal provisions for "extreme risk orders of protection," which would allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. This bill directly affects people identified by a court as being at extreme risk of causing violence, typically through emergency petitions filed by family members, law enforcement, or others with credible concerns. The key mechanism requires a judge to issue a temporary order (often within 24-72 hours) for firearm removal, with a later hearing to determine if a longer-term order is needed. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee after being prefaced and first read.