Handing a firearm to someone under 21 would become a crime
What it does
The bill would make it an offense to sell, rent, lease, give, or offer to do any of those things to a person younger than 21 years of age a firearm. If the firearm is a handgun, that offense would be a state jail felony, and other firearms would carry a Class A misdemeanor penalty. The rule for anyone younger than 18 would be narrowed to cover clubs and location-restricted knives, and a parent or legal custodian who gave written permission for a sale, or effective consent for another transfer, would have a defense. The bill would also make it a state jail felony for a person who is barred from possessing a firearm to make a material false statement on a form required for a firearm purchase, sale, or other transfer.
What it means for your community
If you are younger than 21, or you buy a gun for someone younger than 21, the transfer would be illegal, with the harshest penalty for handguns. Parents who gave written permission for a minor to get a club or location-restricted knife would have a defense under the bill. Dealers would also have to watch the transfer forms, since a false statement on one by a person barred from possession would be a felony. The bill would take effect September 1, 2027, and it would apply only to offenses committed on or after that date.
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