“That the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or when lawfully summoned in aid of the civil power, shall not be questioned; but this shall not justify the wearing of concealed weapons.”
AT A GLANCE
Missouri is a permitless carry and a shall-issue state. There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required when buying from a private individual. Open carry and concealed carry are legal in Missouri for anyone 19 or older. To obtain a Missouri CCP, you must be at least 19. In terms of reciprocity, since permitless carry is legal in Missouri anyone 19 or older may carry a concealed firearm. Missouri has Castle Doctrine laws and “stand your ground.” They are not required to retreat.
Reciprocal Carry
At present, Missouri’s concealed carry law recognizes all out-of-state licenses. Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 571.010 to 571.510. Nevertheless, not all states recognize Missouri’s license. You can apply for a Missouri carry license at age 19.
Duty To Notify Police Officer
Any person issued a CCP or a concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, must carry the CCP or endorsement at all times the person is carrying a concealed firearm and must display the CCP and a state or federal government-issued photo identification or the endorsement or permit upon request of any LEO.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
Missouri permits anyone who is legally allowed to possess a firearm to carry it without a permit as long as it is not readily accessible, or unloaded (provided the ammunition is not readily accessible).
Constitutional Carry
Missouri law does not plainly state that you do not need a permit to carry. The definition of “Unlawful use of a weapon” was changed to only apply when a person carries a weapon into a place that is off limits according to Missouri law. Anyone who is at least 19 years old may legally possess a firearm without a permit, openly or concealed. This is not limited to Missouri residents. Anyone who can legally possess a firearm may carry it openly or concealed, except where firearms are restricted under section 571.107.
NFA Items
Missouri permits ownership of all NFA items except for destructive devices, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law. Hunting with suppressors is legal.
Self-Defense Laws
Missouri has both Castle Doctrine, and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat when attacked in any place You have a legal right to be, and You may use deadly force in self-defense if You reasonably believe it is imminently necessary to prevent death or SBI, the commission of a forcible felony, or to stop the unlawful forcible entry into Your dwelling, residence, or occupied motor vehicle.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
In Alaska, a person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person knowingly possesses a loaded firearm in any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises. Note: it may be an affirmative defense if the firearm is a concealed handgun, the possession occurred at a place designated as a restaurant, and You did not consume any alcohol. The general rule is that You are prohibited from carrying while consuming alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol.
Do “No Gun Signs” Have The Force Of Law?
Missouri has no laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol. You can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Places like Fridays or Chili’s unless they have a “No Gun Sign.” This does not include a bar or the bar area of a restaurant – You are prohibited from carrying into these areas. You can carry your firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, but you are prohibited from consuming alcohol while carrying a firearm.
Open Carry
Open Carry is legal without a permit but local authorities are able to regulate open carry if an individual does not have a valid permit/license. Remember that if you enter any property and the owner/responsible person asks you to leave, you must leave. Failure to leave can result in trespass charges. As of October 11, 2014, a valid CCW overrides local laws against open carry, state wide.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
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