SB 144

Bill Subjects

Courts; Juvenile Courts Criminal Law And Procedure; Firearms And Weapons Offenses Federal Government; Generally Firearms And Weapons General Assembly; Legislative Council State Government; Buildings, Facilities, And Properties State Government; Contracts, Procurements, And Purchases State Government; Generally

Abstract

Allows a juvenile who is at least 16 years of age to be charged in adult court for the commission of certain offenses relating to the unlawful transfer of a firearm. Permits a child to travel with a firearm to or from certain activities where the child is permitted to possess the firearm only if the child is accompanied by the child's parent or legal guardian, or by an adult who has been authorized to accompany the child by the child's parent or legal guardian, as long as the parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult is eligible to purchase or otherwise receive from a dealer a handgun. Prohibits a state entity or a political subdivision (government entity) from regulating or restricting by administrative rule, ordinance, or policy the ownership, possession, or carrying of a handgun on government property by an individual who both: (1) holds a valid license to carry a handgun; and (2) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a handgun under state or federal law (lawful individual). Prohibits a person who enters into a contract with a government entity after June 30, 2024, from regulating or restricting the ownership, possession, or carrying of a handgun on government property by a lawful individual. Specifies that these prohibitions do not apply to, or affect the validity of, a: (1) contract or agreement that is initially entered into before July 1, 2024, even if that contract is later amended or renewed; and (2) statute, administrative rule, ordinance, or policy: (A) enacted by a government entity; and (B) in effect on January 1, 2024. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on corrections and criminal code during the 2024 interim the task of creating a consolidated and comprehensive list of the places at which the carrying of a firearm is prohibited under state or federal law.