IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE enacting section 5577., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to possession of firearms and age restriction.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 5865, July 22, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2024, during the Chiefs’ Championship Parade, a shooting was perpetrated that resulted in one death and twenty-two gunshot injuries; and,
WHEREAS, two of the alleged perpetrators of this heinous shooting were juveniles under the age of majority; and,
WHEREAS, the threat and reality of gun violence perpetrated by juvenile offenders is a growing and critical concern in Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Jackson County Legislature to ensure the safety and security of all of Jackson County citizens; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to create a new section in Chapter 55 regarding possession of firearms and age restriction; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Enacting Clause.
Section 5577., Jackson County Code, 1984, is hereby enacted, to read as follows:
5577. Firearms and Age Restriction.
Possession of a handgun or semiautomatic assault rifle by minor persons.
(1) A person under twenty-one years of age may not purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition, and, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person may sell or transfer a handgun or handgun ammunition to a person under twenty-one years of age.
(2) No person may recklessly sell, lease, loan, give or transfer any firearm to another person less than eighteen years of age without the express permission of that person’s custodial parent or legal guardian.
(3) A person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may not possess a semiautomatic assault rifle except under the following conditions are met:
(a) In attendance at a firearms safety course; or,
(b) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which such range is located or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited; or,
(c) On real property under the control of his or her custodial parent, other relative, or legal guardian and who has the permission of the custodial parent or legal guardian to possess a firearm; or,
(d) Is a member of law enforcement, the armed forces of the United States, national guard, or organized reserves, when on duty.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached ordinance, Ordinance No. 5865 introduced on July 22, 2024, was duly passed on November 4, 2024 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______8_________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ____0_______ Absent ____0_________
Excused ______1_______
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 5865.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Frank White, Jr., County Executive