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.