Governor Parson to decide on Blair’s Law in the coming days

PECULIAR, Mo. — July 4 is a day of celebration for thousands across the metro, but for one mother, it’s the day her daughter, Blair Shanahan Lane, was killed by a stray bullet 13 years ago. Now, there’s a chance Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson will increase the penalties on those who fire celebratory gunshots.

Democratic State Representative Mark Sharp says the penalty for celebratory gunfire is currently only a fine and violation of a city ordinance. Blair’s mom, Michele Shanahan DeMoss, says if a large public safety bill is signed into law this month, it’d now be a state offense.

“It is what it was and gained the attention because Blair lost her life,” Michele said in an interview with FOX4 Wednesday.

“She held the slug in her neck, and it was matched to a weapon that was fired that evening.”

Michele’s life changed forever on July 4, 2011, when Blair was killed by that stray bullet. She was 11 and a half years old.

Later, four men were arrested and charged with shooting a pistol recklessly into a lake. Since then, Michele’s pushed to strengthen the penalties for celebratory gunshots. It’s become known as Blair’s Law . Governor Parson vetoed a bill with the same tougher penalties in 2023 because of a separate provision that was in it.

“I sit before you with a great understanding, and that it is very high,” Michele said when asked what the likelihood is that Governor Parson will sign this year’s public safety bill with the Blair’s Law provision.

“There’s been so much work done to that big bill, and so many hands. From the moment it was vetoed, they went to work. You know, everybody that has anything in that bill went to work, and I understand what was vetoed was taken out of that bill.”

FOX4 reached out to Governor Parson’s office Wednesday.

“The Blair’s Law provision is part of a much larger public safety bill that is still under review,” Press Secretary Johnathan Shiflett said in an email to FOX4.

“We will announce the Governor’s action on the bill in the coming days after he has made his decision.”

FOX4 read that statement to Michele.

“Today is Wednesday. Tomorrow is a holiday. Let’s see what happens on Friday,” she said when asked what that statement meant to her.

“Then we start a new business week on Monday. I cannot be consumed by it.”

Governor Parson has until July 14 ^th to decide what he’s going to do. If it is signed, the law would not go into effect until August 28th.

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