Cal. Civ. Code § 571.510
Housing authorities not permitted to prohibit lessees from possessing firearms — definitions — immunity from liability, when
Operative Text
1. For purposes of this section, the terms "authority" or "housing authority" shall mean any of the corporations created pursuant to the authority of section 99.040 and any entity or agent associated with such authority that administers or uses public moneys provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund very low, lower, and moderate income public rental housing assistance. For purposes of this section, the term "lessee" means a lessee of residential premises. 2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no housing authority, authority, or lessor receiving public funds from a housing authority or authority shall prohibit a lessee or a member of the lessee's immediate household or guest from personally possessing firearms within an individual residence, common areas, or from carrying or transporting firearms to and from such residence in a manner allowed by law. Any provision of a lease, policy, rule, or agreement in violation of this section shall be void and unenforceable. 3. No housing authority, authority, or lessor under this section shall be liable in tort or any other civil action for damages caused by a lessee's possession or use of a firearm on property owned by the lessor, unless a housing authority, authority, or lessor or an officer, agent, or employee of such housing authority, authority, or lessor: (1) Violated section 571.060 or otherwise caused the lessee, the household member, or guest to engage in any unsafe or illegal actions with a firearm; or (2) Engaged in acts or failures to act which were manifestly outside the scope of employment, duties, or responsibilities or were committed maliciously, in bad faith, or in a wanton and reckless manner.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.944, 64.207, 209.190, 442.055, 448.4-112, and 571.510, housing authorities and landlords who receive public housing funds are barred from prohibiting tenants, their household members, or guests from personally possessing firearms within their individual residence or common areas, or from lawfully transporting firearms to and from the residence. Any lease clause, policy, or rule that attempts to impose such a prohibition is declared void and unenforceable. The provision also shields housing authorities and landlords from civil liability for damages caused by a tenant's firearm possession or use, except in cases involving certain statutory violations, bad faith, malice, or conduct that is wanton and reckless.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.944, 64.207, 209.190, 442.055, 448.4-112, and 571.510, operators of public or publicly funded rental housing generally review their lease agreements, policies, and rules to ensure no clause purports to ban tenants, household members, or guests from lawfully possessing or transporting firearms. Compliant operators do not enforce any such prohibition, as the statute renders those provisions void and unenforceable. The liability shield provided by this section does not extend to situations involving statutory violations, bad-faith conduct, or actions that are manifestly outside the scope of employment.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.944, 64.207, 209.190, 442.055, 448.4-112, and 571.510 establish that tenants in public or publicly funded housing have a right to personally possess firearms in their residence and common areas, and to transport them lawfully to and from the residence. If a lease, policy, or rule attempts to restrict this right, the statute declares such provisions void and unenforceable, which means a tenant may be able to raise that unenforceability as a defense if a landlord attempts to act on such a clause. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision are being violated may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand the options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.