SB 790 - This act creates the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor. A person under the age of 18 commits such offense if he or she knowingly possesses a handgun or ammunition for a handgun. This offense shall be a class A misdemeanor.

This act shall not apply to any of the following people with the prior written consent of his or her parent or guardian:

• A temporary transfer or possession of a handgun or ammunition by a person under the age of 18 in the course of employment, farming, target practice, hunting, or during a firearms safety course;

• A person under the age of 18 who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard;

• A transfer by inheritance of title of a handgun or ammunition to a person under the age of 18; and

• A person under the age of 18 who is using a handgun or ammunition in self-defense.

Additionally, this act provides that any firearm confiscated for the purposes of prosecution or investigation shall be returned to the owner if the firearm was used by a minor to commit an unlawful act and such minor was not the lawful owner of the firearm.

This act is substantially similar to SB 217 (2023).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE