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Lawmakers send bill to governor’s desk criminalizing celebratory gunfire

Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 12:00 AM

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In the final hours of session, the Missouri General Assembly sent legislation to the governor’s desk to impose tougher penalties for people who fire celebratory gunshots.

In 2011, bullets fired on the 4th of July, fell killing 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane. Since then, Blair’s mom Michele Shanahan DeMoss has been coming to Jefferson City to ask lawmakers to strengthen the state’s law. Nearly 12 years later, the General Assembly gave final approval to the bill Thursday.

“I’m just thankful for this corner that we turned and the finish line that we’ve crossed,” DeMoss said after the vote while holding back years. “It’s incredible to me. It’s been a marathon but it’s been worth it.”

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

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