Missouri House passes bills on crime, shuts down juvenile certification

(AP) It no longer would be a misdemeanor crime to give firearms to minors without their parents’ permission under a bill backed by the Missouri House. The Republican-led House on Tuesday passed the bill and sent it to the Senate for review.

House lawmakers voted to change the law over concerns that grandparents or other family members could be charged with a misdemeanor for taking minors shooting without permission. Lawmakers are working in a special session to address a surge in violent crime in cities.

The House also passed a bill to allow St. Louis police to live outside the city.

Missourinet also reports that lawmakers confirm that juvenile certification legislation that has drawn criticism from state lawmakers in both parties will not be taken up by the House, and is dead.

“There’s no consensus about moving a juvenile certification bill, so at this point we’re going to let the law remain where it is,” Speaker Elijah Haahr told Missourinet late Monday morning, during an interview in his Capitol office in Jefferson City.

Earlier this month, the Missouri Senate approved legislation that would allow Missouri courts to certify juveniles 14-18 as adults for violent weapons offenses. Governor Parson called for the provision, saying it’s aimed at violent crime like murder. But critics say it would lock up children and put them in prison with violent offenders and murderers.

The Missouri House Special Committee on Criminal Justice amended the bill last week, changing the ages to 16-18.