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Law-enforcement-backed bill would raise penalties for possession of stolen firearms; prosecutors cite rising juvenile use
Summary
HB 493 would increase penalties for possessing stolen firearms (and ammunition) and allow certain juvenile cases to be transferred to adult court; law-enforcement and county attorney witnesses cited local spikes in stolen-gun crimes and juvenile involvement, while defenders flagged possible overreach and data gaps.
Representative Steve Kelly introduced House Bill 493, which raises the penalty for possession of a stolen firearm or stolen ammunition, allows prosecutors to treat some juvenile offenders as adults for this offense and attaches possession to gang-activity statutes in some cases. He said the bill responds to an escalating problem in Billings and other jurisdictions.
Supporters included law-enforcement and prosecutorial witnesses: Dan Smith (Montana Police Protective Association) and Nannette Gilbertson (Montana…
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