Missouri Gun Laws in Plain English
In Missouri, you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you are at least 19 years old (or 18 for military). You can buy any type of gun or magazine legal under federal law, and you don't need to register them. While you can carry openly, some cities ban it unless you have a carry permit. You can also keep a loaded gun in your car without a permit.
Critical: Missouri Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1Constitutional Carry (permitless) does NOT exempt you from the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)). You need a state-issued permit to be legally exempt from the 1,000-foot buffer zone.
- #2Local municipalities (like St. Louis) can ban Open Carry if you do not have a concealed carry permit (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 21.750).
- #3Possession of a firearm while intoxicated is a crime (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.030).
- #4You cannot carry on public buses or transit (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 578.305).
- #5Marijuana is legal in Missouri, but if you use it, you are a prohibited person under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)) and cannot own guns.
- #6Constitutional Carry applies to those 19+ (or 18+ military). If you are an 18-year-old civilian, you cannot carry concealed on your person in public (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.030).
- #7Carrying in a 'posted' location (No Guns sign) is not a crime for permit holders unless you refuse to leave when asked, but it can lead to administrative penalties or trespassing charges (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.107).
- #8You can be charged with 'Unlawful Use of Weapons' if you exhibit a weapon in an angry or threatening manner (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.030).
- #9Federal buildings (Post Offices, VA facilities) are totally off-limits for carry, even with a permit (18 U.S.C. § 930).
- #10The 'Second Amendment Preservation Act' (SAPA) does not protect you from federal agents (ATF/FBI); federal law still applies.
- #11You cannot carry in a polling place on election day (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.107).
- #12You cannot carry in a police station or jail (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.107).
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.