SB 678 Summary

• Changes terminology from "pistol" to "firearm" throughout the licensing law to expand scope beyond handguns to all firearms requiring licenses.

• Allows individuals to purchase firearms other than pistols without a state license if they have undergone a federal National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) performed by a federally licensed firearms dealer within 5 days of purchase.

• Permits individuals under 18 to possess firearms without a license for hunting purposes or at recognized target ranges under specific supervision conditions, in addition to existing exceptions for target practice.

• Modifies law enforcement disposal procedures for seized firearms to allow retention for official use or sale to licensed dealers, with clearer record-keeping and public notice requirements before disposal.

• Makes grammatical and technical updates including changing "person" to "individual" and "shall" to "must" throughout the statute for consistency and clarity.