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Minutes for SB156 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Amending the crime of creating a hazard to include leaving certain loaded firearms in a place accessible to children.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 15, 2017
Jason Thompson briefed the Committee on the bill saying that the bill amends the crime of creating a hazard to include leaving certain loaded firearms in places that are accessible to children. He went on to describe the placement of this bill within the current Criminal Code and described the additions and changes that the bill encompasses.
Issues were addressed that included pressure locking mechanisms, carrying verses abandoning firearms, and definitions within SB 156.
Chairman Wilborn directed the Committee's attention to the next order of business.
Proponents:
Senator Pettey offered support (Attachment 6) for the bill by saying that the term "loaded gun" is being added to the list in the current code. She then shared statistics about children and accidental shootings. She said that this bill does not impede an individual's right to own a firearm, however, it does regulate how a firearm is kept. She concluded that this bill is designed to keep children safe and protect them from those who recklessly disregard their safety. She clarified that there was a mistake in her written testimony suggesting that this is a class B misdemeanor, however this bill raises it to a class A misdemeanor.
Concerns were raised regarding the locking mechanisms design to delay an individual's ability to immediately protect themselves in an example of a home invasion.
Chairman Wilborn directed the Committee's attention to the written proponent testimony of (Attachment 7) Loren Stanton.
Neutral:
Additionally, the Chairman pointed to the neutral written testimony submitted by Keith Edwards (Attachment 8).
The Chairman then closed the hearing.
