Missouri governor signs Blair’s Law, banning celebratory gunfire

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - After over a decade of advocacy, one Missouri mother can breathe a sigh of relief as a bill named for her late daughter was signed into law.

In a marathon bill signing, Gov. Mike Parson signed four bills into law Tuesday morning and five more Tuesday afternoon. His office promised more bills would be signed Thursday.

The signing of those four morning bills includes an expansive crime law. This new law includes several measures Missourians advocated for many years to implement, including Max’s Law, Blair’s Law, and Valentine’s Law.

Respectively, these new laws will increase the punishment for harming a police K-9 in the line of duty, make celebratory gunfire illegal, and make it a felony to lead police on a pursuit by car.

Michele Shanahan DeMoss delighted in what could be her last visit to the Missouri Capitol for the bill signing. She said she’s relieved her years of testimony, advocacy, and last-minute visits to Jefferson City are now coming to fruition.

Blair’s Law is named after Shanahan DeMoss’s daughter, who was killed by celebratory gunfire on July 4, 2011. The 11-year-old girl was struck and killed by a bullet fired by someone from across the lake while celebrating Independence Day with friends and family.

“Never in a million years could I have seen a bullet come through the trees,” Shanahan DeMoss said.

Under this new law, it is a crime to recklessly shoot a gun within any Missouri city limits. Penalties for breaking this law range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony, which could lead to one to seven years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 dollars.

“The advocacy grew, largely to Michele Shanahan DeMoss. I think over time, we just saw a bigger appetite for the bill,” said bill handler and Kansas City Democrat State Rep. Mark Sharp.

Last year, Blair’s Law was vetoed because of an unrelated provision that would have had the state compensate people who were wrongly accused.

“I knew I was a terrible disappointment to her last year to the family for that, but the great thing is I was able to visit with her before I signed the bill today to talk to her, and I just really appreciate them staying with the process,” said Parson.

Shanahan DeMoss said despite accomplishing this major milestone, she will not stop spreading awareness of the dangers of celebratory gunfire.

“To me, it’s always been more than Blair,” Shanahan DeMoss said. “I mean, Blair has always been to me. But, nobody else should sit in my seat, and since Blair many people have.”

Although many lawmakers worked several years to get these measures across the finish line, there are still concerns with this omnibus crime law. Rep. Mark Sharp said there are some things in Valentine’s Law he hopes to clarify some things in Valentine’s Law.

“We are trying to allow our young people, and especially our women population, to be able to find a safe place to pull over before they are before they are subject to an increased penalty,” State Rep. Sharp said.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.