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SJR 119MISSOURISession 2026State Billin committee
High Impact

Missouri resolution puts constitutional amendment on 2026 ballot to allow local firearm regulations and background checks

Original title: Modifies provisions relating to the right to bear arms

Last action · May 7, 2026: Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety CommitteeSponsor: Patty Lewis

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Missouri voters will decide at the November 2026 election whether to repeal the current constitutional right to bear arms and instead permit counties, St. Louis City, and Kansas City to enact local firearm possession, carrying, and transfer ordinances with background checks and permit fees. The measure establishes exemptions for law enforcement officers, judges, and workers required to carry a firearm, while capping penalties for local violations at a $1,000 fine, one year in jail, or both.

Why it matters

Changes the legal authority for regulating firearms in Missouri by shifting power from state-level protections to local governments, impacting residents, permit applicants, and local law enforcement agencies across specific municipalities and counties.

Background
  • Missouri's current constitution contains strong protections for the right to bear arms, which this resolution seeks to replace with local regulatory authority. context
  • Joint resolutions in Missouri require voter approval at a general or special election to amend the state constitution. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Missouri Voters

Voters will decide at the ballot whether to adopt the constitutional amendment altering state firearm protections and local regulatory powers.

Directly affected

Local Governments in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Counties

These municipal and county governments gain the authority to enact firearm possession and transfer ordinances, issue permits, and charge cost-recovery fees.

Directly affected

Law Enforcement Officers and Judges

Certified law enforcement officers, full-time judges, and workers required to be armed for employment are explicitly exempted from local firearm ordinances.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SJR 119 change about Missouri's constitution?
It repeals the current constitutional provision protecting the right to bear arms under and replaces it with a provision allowing counties, St. Louis City, and Kansas City to enact local firearm possession, carrying, and transfer ordinances.
Who is exempt from local firearm ordinances under this amendment?
Active duty or retired law enforcement officers certified as compliant with state peace officer standards, full-time judges, and individuals required to be armed as a condition of employment (such as licensed security guards, government employees, and military members) are exempt.
What are the maximum penalties a local government can impose for violating an ordinance under this measure?
Penalties are capped at a fine of $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions
  1. May 7, 2026SenateFloor
    Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
  2. Feb 19, 2026SenateIntroduced
    S First Read

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 4572S.01I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Patty LewisSenate · District 7DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Transfer of Firearm Regulatory Authority

The resolution proposes moving from a strict statewide constitutional protection of firearm rights to localized municipal and county regulatory control.

MissouriSt. LouisKansas City

Connected Entities

National Instant Criminal Background Check System, Missouri, St. Louis and 1 more
OrganizationNational Instant Criminal Background Check System“System used to obtain background check information”Map →
locationMissouri“State where the constitutional amendment is submitted to voters”Map →
locationSt. Louis“City authorized to enact firearm ordinances”Map →
locationKansas City“City authorized to enact firearm ordinances”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.senate.mo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy90
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz65
    Current news / social attention level

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