HB 127/a AGE 21 FOR FIREARM PURCHASES

Rep Reena C Szczepanski

Actions: HPREF [2] HCPAC/HJC-HCPAC [4] DP-HJC [8] DP/a-T

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 127 (HB 127) requires that a person be at least 21 years old to purchase or possess an automatic firearm, semiautomatic firearm or firearm capable of accepting a large capacity feeding device and creates misdemeanor crimes for violating this provision.   

 House Bill 127 (HB 127) creates the misdemeanor crime of those under age 21 from possessing or purchasing an automatic or semiautomatic firearm or a firearm that is capable of accepting a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.  

However, an underage person may possess such a firearm when the person attends a hunter’s safety or firearm safety course,  uses the firearm for target shooting at an established range, engages in an organized competition using these firearms, engages in a performance by a nonprofit organization, engages in legal hunting or trapping activities, travels with an unloaded automatic or semiautomatic firearm to or from one of the above activities, or is on private property under the control of, and being supervised by, the person’s parent, grandparent or legal guardian.  

These provisions do not apply to law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces, or army or air national guard.  
Second, the bill creates the misdemeanor crime of selling or transferring an automatic, semiautomatic firearm or firearm capable of accepting large-capacity ammunition feeding device to a person under age 21 (as long as the youth does not fit into any of the exceptions above).  

The bill provides definitions for automatic firearm, firearm, large-capacity ammunition feeding device (one that can accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition), and semiautomatic firearm (includes any rifle or shotgun that is semiautomatic, but excludes .22 caliber rifles).  
 

 On February 2, 2024, the House Judiciary Committee amended HB 127 by adding another exemption. The amendment provides that a person under 21 may possess a firearm if they are a registered guide pursuant to Section 17-2A-3 (hunting guides and outfitters).