Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri SJR118: Modifies provisions relating to the right to bear arms
Status: In committee, May 7, 2026
SJR 118 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, repeals provisions relating to the right to bear arms and provides that in accordance with the laws of the United States, any county, St. Louis City, or Kansas City, may enact ordinances regulating permits for the possession of a firearm and requiring background checks. Any such ordinance shall exempt any active duty or retired law enforcement officer, any full-time judge, or any person required to be armed as a condition of employment. Any penalty shall not exceed $1,000 or one year imprisonment. This amendment is identical to SJR 36 (2025), HJR 144 (2024), and HJR 140 (2024). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 103RD GENERA L ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY SENATOR NURRENBERN. 6455S.01I KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary JOINT RESOLUTION Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment repealing section 23 of article I of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section in lieu thereof relating to firearms. Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring therein: That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2026, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article I of the Constitution of the state of Missouri: Section A. Section 23, article I, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 23, to read as follows: Section 23. [That the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories typical to the normal function of such arms, in defense of his home, person, family and property, or when lawfully summoned in aid of the civil power, shall not be questioned. The rights guaranteed by this section shall be unalienable. Any restriction on these …