(AP) – First-time offenders convicted of possessing small
amounts of marijuana no longer will face jail time, and most adults will be able
to carry concealed weapons without a permit under new Missouri laws.
Those laws and several others take effect Sunday.
Shorter prison sentences for some nonviolent drug crimes are part of an
overhaul of the state’s criminal laws.
Another new law expands the state’s castle doctrine to allow invited house
guests such as babysitters to use deadly force against intruders. The law
creates a “stand-your-ground” right. That means people no longer need to retreat
from danger before shooting in any place they are legally entitled to be
present.
Another new law requires the state to hire a company to check welfare
recipients’ eligibility.
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