Gun laws in Missouri

Missouri Statute 571.070 (8/28/2007) says that it is unlawful for a felon or adjudged incompetent Person to have possession of any firearm (including concealable firearms). Violation of this law is a class D felony.[8] This law was the subject of a challenge, in which a nonviolent felon successfully argued that the law is unconstitutional as applied to him. The law failed muster against the required strict scrutiny test.[9][10] However, the law was found to be constitutional by the Supreme Court of Missouri.[11]

According to the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo), Section 571.030, a person only commits the crime of carrying a concealed weapon if they carry a concealed weapon into a place where concealed carry is restricted by law, and they do not satisfy one of the exemptions in subsections 2-7, which include having a valid permit or endorsement to carry concealed firearms.[12][13] Those who hold CCW permits are subject only to fines if they refuse to leave after being asked and a peace officer is summoned, and possible revocation of their permit if they repeatedly do this.[14]

Missouri law exempts the possession of antique firearms, as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 921, from the provision that specifies a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm if he or she is a convicted felon possessing a firearm.[8]

Missouri Statute 571.121 (8/28/2007) says that: (a) You have to carry your permit with you when you carry the concealed weapon and if you don't have it with you, it is not a crime, but you can be fined up to $35; and that (b) County sheriffs issue a state CCW I.D. that reflects that you can carry concealed.[15]

In September 2014, Missouri lawmakers passed SB 656 allowing specially trained school employees to carry concealed guns on campuses. It also allows anyone with a concealed weapons permit to carry guns openly in cities or towns with bans against the open carrying of firearms. The age to obtain a concealed weapons permit was also dropped from 21 to 19 [See 2014 Senate Bill 656]. Missouri became the 10th state to pass legislation allowing armed school employees since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012.[16] The bill was initially vetoed by Gov. Nixon, but the Missouri legislature overrode the veto during the September veto session.[17]

In September 2016, another Senate bill coincidentally numbered SB 656 was passed allowing permitless concealed carry by anyone 19[18][19] years of age or older who may lawfully own a gun. This bill was also vetoed by Governor Nixon, on June 27, 2016. After the Missouri legislature reconvened for the veto-override session on September 14, 2016, the Senate voted to override the veto with a 24 – 6 vote (23 required) and the House followed through shortly thereafter with a 112 – 41 vote (109 required). The permitless carry provision of the bill went into effect on January 1, 2017.[3]

A concealed carry permit is required to carry in the state capitol, but one may not carry in the House and Senate chamber floor, gallery and committee meeting rooms.[20]

According to RSMo Section 571.030, there is no restriction on the concealed carry of long guns, nor a restriction on the transport of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. Missouri does not prohibit the concealed carry of any specific weapon. There is no age limit to conceal carry a handgun, long gun or any deadly weapon in Missouri.[21]

Missouri allows open carry without a permit, so long as the firearm is not displayed in an angry or threatening manner.[22] Some localities prohibit open carry; however, concealed carry license holders are exempted from this restriction.[23]

Missouri does not prohibit the open carry of any specific weapon, nor do most of the restrictions in RSMo 571.030 apply to the open carry of a firearm or other weapon. It is not a crime under Missouri law to openly carry a weapon into any place where concealed carry is prohibited, except for a church, school bus, school, or onto the grounds of a school function. According to RSMo Section 571.030, there is no age limit to openly carry a handgun, long gun or any deadly weapon.[24]

• Chapter 571 - Weapons Offenses of Missouri Revised Statutes