News Flash

JCPAO Press Releases

Posted on: March 1, 2018

Jackson County law enforcement leaders call for passage of celebratory gunfire law

For Immediate Release

March 1, 2018

Jackson County law enforcement leaders and the family of a 11-year-old girl killed in 2011 as the result of celebratory gunfire on the 4th of July called today for new curbs on discharging firearms in city limits, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced.

Legislation, dubbed "Blair's Law," has been sponsored by Missouri Rep. DaRon McGee, of Kansas City. It would establish a felony violation for discharging a firearm within city limits, with some exceptions including self-defense.

"This is a public safety issue for Kansas City," said McGee, the legislation's sponsor. "Reducing celebratory gunfire will save lives of children across the city. I hope to achieve this goal, with the help of other legislators across this state."

Appearing together at a press conference today at the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Officer were Baker and the family of Blair Shanahan Lane, who was killed in 2011 on July 4, when a man and his friends were shooting a weapon into the air to celebrate Independence Day.

Baker has earlier advocated for new curbs on gunfire in the city limits, appearing before the Missouri General Assembly and helping local legislators, including Mike Talboy, Noel Torpey and McGee, craft legislation to reduce the gunfire.

In recent years, other children have died of gunfire in Kansas City. The new legislation is intended to deter such celebratory gunfire. The bill does allow for exceptions, including self-defense and firing weapons at gun ranges. It also protects hunters lawfully pursuing wildlife.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.


Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in JCPAO Press Releases

KC man charged in April 30 homicide in KC

Posted on: September 29, 2017

16-year-old KC teen charged in 2016 murder

Posted on: December 23, 2016

KC man charged in Midtown carjacking

Posted on: November 4, 2016

KC man charged in rape of 14-year-old girl

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Charges in Grandview robbery

Posted on: April 20, 2016

Guilty plea in child death case

Posted on: April 13, 2016

KC man charged in KC car chase

Posted on: April 8, 2016

Police officer’s conviction upheld

Posted on: April 5, 2016

Charges filed in fatal KC shooting

Posted on: April 1, 2016

Charges filed in Independence murder

Posted on: March 31, 2016

Independence eluding leads to charges

Posted on: March 11, 2016

Sexual assault of 15-year-old

Posted on: March 9, 2016

Charges in weekend chase, crash

Posted on: March 6, 2016

Sword-wielding man leads police on chase

Posted on: February 25, 2016

Charges in Monday shooting

Posted on: February 24, 2016

Two charged in double homicide

Posted on: February 3, 2016

Manslaughter charges filed in 2015 wreck

Posted on: January 25, 2016

One charged in KC rape

Posted on: January 22, 2016

Charges in Jan. 9 gun slaying

Posted on: January 15, 2016

Messina honored by KCMBA

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Independence murder

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Grandview hit-and-run

Posted on: December 30, 2015

Solar energy theft involved area churches

Posted on: December 16, 2015