Special session to concentrate on violent crime in Missouri

Violent crime is the subject of a special session of the Missouri House and Senate that begins today.

Gov. Mike Parson called the session after figures showed the state might set record numbers of homicides this year.

The special session, set to begin at noon, will focus on six proposals:

• Juvenile Certification – This proposal requires the court to determine if a juvenile should be certified for trial as an adult if charged with unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.
• Police and Public Safety Employee Residency Requirements for St. Louis – The would eliminate the residency requirement for St. Louis law enforcement so long as the officer lives within an hour of the city.
• Unlawful Transfer of Weapons – This proposal would increase the penalty for a person who knowingly sells. or delivers any firearm to a child less than 18 years without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian
• Witness Statement Admissibility – This proposal would allow certain statements to be admissible in court that would otherwise not be allowed under the current statute.
• Witness Protection Fund – This proposal creates the Pretrial Witness Protection Fund.
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child – This proposal modifies the offense of endangering the welfare of a child for a person who encourages a child to engage in any weapons offense.