HLS 14RS-879 ENGROSSED Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2014 HOUSE BILL NO. 272 BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED WILLIAMS WEAPONS/FIREARMS: Provides relative to firearms buyback programs for parishes and municipalities AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 33:4879(B) and (C), relative to firearms; to authorize parishes2 and municipalities to institute a firearms buyback program; to provide relative to the3 procedures governing the implementation of the program and the funding of the4 program; and to provide for related matters.5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6 Section 1. R.S. 33:4879(B) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as7 follows:8 ยง4879. Purpose; firearms buyback program; authorization ; city of New Orleans9 * * *10 B. The city of New Orleans Any municipality or parish may institute a11 firearms buyback program. Funding for the buyback program shall be acquired from12 cash donations from private businesses and may be acquired from include funds from13 the city's assets, seizures, and forfeiture fund of any participating law enforcement14 agency within the jurisdiction of the municipality or parish if the city possesses such15 a fund. The firearms buyback program shall exist for not more than a thirty-day16 period in any calendar year or shall exist until the funds acquired or received for the17 purchase of the firearms are exhausted.18 C. The city municipality or parish shall promulgate rules of procedure19 governing the acquisition and disposal of firearms purchased through the program.20 HLS 14RS-879 ENGROSSED HB NO. 272 Page 2 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Such weapons shall either be destroyed or delivered to law enforcement agencies of1 the city municipality or parish for departmental use. In no case shall such weapon2 be given to any individual, except that a stolen weapon shall be returned to its3 rightful owner on proof of ownership.4 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Alfred Williams HB No. 272 Abstract: Authorizes all parishes and municipalities in the state to institute a firearms buyback program and provides for the procedures and funding of such programs. Present law authorizes the city of New Orleans to institute a firearms buyback program, whereby citizens may safely dispose of firearms they no longer desire to own. Present law authorizes the city of New Orleans to acquire funding for the program to buyback firearms from private businesses and to use funds from the city's assets, seizures, and forfeitures fund. Present law authorizes the program to exist for not more than a 30-day period in a calendar year or until the funds acquired or received for the purchase of the firearms are depleted. Proposed law authorizes all parishes and municipalities to institute a firearms buyback program. Present law requires the city of New Orleans to develop and implement rules of procedure governing the acquisition and disposal of firearms acquired through the program. Provides that all acquired firearms must be either destroyed or delivered to law enforcement agencies for departmental use. Prohibits any acquired firearms from being given to any individual, except a stolen weapon being returned to its rightful owner. Proposed law retains present law and makes the provisions applicable to all parishes and municipalities that implement a program. (Amends R.S. 33:4879(B) and (C))