Senate Bill 496 Summary

• Pistol Purchase Permits for Private Sales: Reinstates requirement for permits to purchase pistols in private sales and transfers authority for issuing permits from county sheriffs to the State Bureau of Investigation, with a $5 fee per permit valid for 5 years.

• Universal Background Checks: Requires background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for all firearm transfers between private persons and by federally licensed dealers, with exemptions for certain family transfers and temporary loans under 14 days.

• Safe Storage Requirements: Strengthens safe storage laws by making it a Class D felony if an unsupervised minor or unauthorized person gains access to an improperly stored firearm and then commits certain prohibited acts with it.

• Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs): Creates new Chapter 50E allowing family members or law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily restrict a person's access to firearms if they pose danger to themselves or others, with ex parte orders available within 24 hours and full orders lasting up to one year.

• Firearm Safety Equipment Sales Tax Exemption: Exempts firearm safety equipment and storage devices from sales tax effective October 1, 2023.