SPRINGFIELD, MO — In a first-of-its-kind legal ruling, the Jackson County Circuit Court has officially recognized the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield as the secondary residence of 58-year-old Gerald "Catfish" Moody, who has reportedly spent more waking hours in the store than in his actual house since 2019.

The ruling came after Moody's wife, Shirley, filed a petition requesting the court acknowledge the arrangement she says "has been obvious to everyone for six years."

"He gets there when it opens. He stays until they close. He eats at the restaurant. He naps in the camping section," Shirley testified. "Last Christmas he told the kids to 'come by the house' and they drove to Bass Pro."

Court documents reveal that Moody has accumulated over 4,200 visits to the Springfield location since January 2019, averaging 2.3 visits per day. Store employees confirmed they no longer question his presence and have begun greeting him by name.

"Mr. Moody is what we'd call a 'fixture,'" said assistant manager Brenda Wilkins. "He's been here so long, new employees think he works here. He once helped a customer pick out a trolling motor. Gave good advice, too."

Judge Martha Colvin, in delivering her ruling, noted that Moody has met the legal standard for establishing residency, having "maintained a consistent physical presence, received packages via the ship-to-store option on an almost daily basis, and demonstrated clear intent to remain."

Moody, for his part, seemed confused by the proceedings. "I just like looking at the boats," he said. "And the aquarium. And the guns. And they got a real good pretzel."

As part of the ruling, Moody is now permitted to list the Bass Pro Shops address on his driver's license as an alternate residence. The IRS has requested a meeting.