HCS HB 658 -- UNLAWFUL USE OF WEAPONS

SPONSOR:  Kissell (May, 108)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Public
Safety and Law Enforcement by a vote of 16 to 0.

This substitute expands the crime of unlawful use of weapons to
include carrying a weapon onto a school grounds or a school bus,
unless the person is participating in a school-sanctioned,
firearm-related event.  Carrying a weapon into a school bus or
onto school grounds is a class C felony.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that by increasing the penalty for
carrying firearms onto a school bus or into a school, the
environment students and faculty work in will become safer.

Testifying for the bill was Representative May (108).

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Sarah Madden, Legislative Analyst

HB 658 -- Unlawful Use of Weapons

Co-Sponsors:  May (108), O'Toole

This bill makes several changes related to the unlawful use of
weapons.  The bill:

(1)  Expands the crime of unlawful use of weapons to include
carrying a weapon onto a school bus.  Carrying a weapon on a
school bus is a class C felony;

(2)  Raises the penalty from a class B misdemeanor to a class C
felony for discharging a firearm within 100 yards of an occupied
school, courthouse, or church;

(3)  Raises the penalty from a class B misdemeanor to a class C
felony for carrying a weapon into a church, school, election
precinct, government building, or public meeting; and

(4)  Requires a school administrator to report any criminal
possession of a weapon to a law enforcement agency.  Current law
requires reporting of criminal possession of a weapon only if it
is a felony.