Eleanor Finch
Missouri became the 11th US state to pass Constitutional Carry on January 1, 2017. The bill allows residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, advanced training, or law enforcement background checks. Open carry without a permit was already legal in the state. Missouri is also a Castle Doctrine state, empowering gun owners to defend themselves outside of their homes or properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Open carry without a permit | Legal |
| Concealed carry without a permit | Legal |
| Age requirement for open/concealed carry without a permit | 19 years or older (18 for members of the military or honorably discharged) |
| Locations with restrictions on open/concealed carry | Courthouses, public passenger buses and trains, buildings owned/leased/controlled by the county or municipality |
| Training requirements for concealed carry permit | Firearms training course |
| Background checks for concealed carry permit | Not required |
| Missouri constitutional provision | Article 1, Section 23 - guarantees the right to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories |
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What You'll Learn
Missouri gun laws allow for open carry without a permit
Missouri's gun laws are some of the most relaxed in the country. The state became a constitutional carry state in 2017, meaning that individuals do not need a permit to carry a firearm, whether openly or as a concealed weapon. This applies to anyone over the age of 19, or 18 for members of the military or those who have been honourably discharged.
The right to bear arms in Missouri is protected under Article 1, Section 23 of the state constitution, which states that "the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories typical to the normal function of such arms...shall not be questioned." This right is further protected under the Second Amendment of the US Constitution.
While no permit is required to carry a firearm in Missouri, individuals may still obtain a concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit from their local county sheriff's department. This is useful if individuals want to travel outside the state with their firearm, as some states only extend reciprocity to those with a CCW permit.
There are some restrictions on where individuals can carry firearms in Missouri. For example, open carry is not allowed in schools, universities, churches, stadiums, hospitals, or on school buses. Additionally, local authorities can restrict concealed carry in any building owned, leased, or controlled by the county or municipality, and they may require a CCW permit for open carry.
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Residents can carry a concealed firearm without a permit
Missouri is a constitutional carry state, which means that residents can carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This is also known as unrestricted carry or permitless carry. In Missouri, open carry and concealed carry are legal for anyone 19 years or older who can legally possess a firearm (or 18 for members of the military or those who have been honorably discharged). However, local authorities can restrict concealed carry in any building that is owned, leased, or controlled by the county or municipality, and a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) may be required for open carry in these locations.
Missouri law does not explicitly state that a permit is not needed to carry a firearm. Instead, 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 per Missouri law. There are several restricted locations, including courthouses and public passenger buses and trains.
To obtain a Missouri CCP, an individual must be at least 19 years old (or 18 for members of the military or honorably discharged) and have passed a firearms training course. The application must be made in the applicant's county of residence. Non-resident permits are available to active-duty military personnel and veterans who are at least 18 years old and stationed in Missouri.
Missouri is a "shall-issue" state, which means that meeting all the requirements ensures the issuance of a license. This process is generally easier than in a "may-issue" state, which exercises discretion when issuing concealed weapons permits. However, it still involves an application process and some waiting time.
Missouri's constitution guarantees the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories for the normal function of such arms. This right is protected by the state and may not be questioned. Any restrictions on these rights are subject to strict scrutiny, and the state is obligated to uphold and protect them from infringement.
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Missouri is a 'stand your ground' law state
Missouri is a "stand your ground" law state, also known as a Castle Doctrine state. This means that gun owners in Missouri are empowered to defend themselves outside of their homes or properties. Individuals are not required to retreat if they believe they are in danger of attack by another person using unlawful force. This assumes that the person was not the initial aggressor and is not attempting to commit a crime. Missouri's "stand your ground" law also allows residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, advanced training, or law enforcement background checks.
Missouri's "stand your ground" law was passed on January 1, 2017, when the state became the 11th in the country to pass Constitutional Carry. This law allows residents to carry a concealed firearm without advanced training, law enforcement background checks, or a permit. The bill was passed during the September veto session when Gov. Jay Nixon's veto was overridden by Republican super-majorities in the state legislature.
Open carry without a permit was already legal in the state before the "stand your ground" law was passed. However, local authorities can restrict concealed carry in any building owned, leased, or controlled by the county or municipality and may require a CCP (Concealed Carry Permit) for open carry. Missouri law does not plainly state that a permit is not needed to carry a firearm. Instead, they changed the definition of "unlawful use of a weapon" to only apply when a person carries a weapon into a place that is off-limits per Missouri law.
Missouri's "stand your ground" law is based on the state's constitutional provision, which states that "the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories typical to the normal function of such arms, in defense of his home, person, family, and property, shall not be questioned." This right is further protected by the obligation of the state of Missouri to uphold these rights and protect against their infringement.
It is important to note that there are still some restrictions on carrying firearms in Missouri, including age requirements and restrictions on carrying firearms in certain locations such as courthouses and public passenger buses and trains.
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There are some restrictions on where you can carry a concealed firearm
Missouri is a permitless carry state, meaning that anyone over the age of 19 (or 18 for members of the military or those who have been honorably discharged) who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on their person without a license or permit. However, there are some restrictions on where you can carry a concealed firearm.
Local authorities in Missouri can restrict concealed carry in any building owned, leased, or controlled by the county or municipality and may require a CCP (Concealed Carry Permit) for open carry. Missouri law defines the "unlawful use of a weapon" as carrying a weapon into a place that is off-limits per Missouri law.
Some of the restricted locations in Missouri include courthouses and public passenger buses and trains. These restrictions apply to both open and concealed carry.
Additionally, Missouri's constitutional provisions and state gun laws recognize the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms for the defense of their homes, persons, families, and properties. However, these rights are not absolute, and restrictions may be imposed on convicted violent felons or individuals deemed by a court to be a danger to themselves or others due to mental health issues.
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To obtain a concealed carry permit, you must pass a firearms safety course
Missouri has a shall-issue policy for CCW permits, which means that, while it is not necessary to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in the state, anyone who meets the requirements can obtain one. To obtain a concealed carry permit in Missouri, you must be a resident of the state, or a member of the Armed Forces stationed in Missouri, or the spouse of a member of the military. Applicants must be at least 19 years old (or 18 for members of the military or honorably discharged). They must also have passed a firearms safety course and submit a written application, signed under oath.
The firearms safety course must be at least eight hours in length and taught by a qualified firearms safety instructor. The instructor will cover topics such as handgun safety in the classroom, at home, on the firing range, and while carrying the firearm. The applicant must also perform a physical demonstration of their ability to safely load and unload either a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol, as well as their marksmanship with either firearm.
The course will also cover the laws relating to firearms and the justifiable use of force, as well as the requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit from the sheriff of the individual's county of residence. Additionally, there will be a live firing exercise where the applicant must fire a minimum of 20 rounds from either a revolver or semi-automatic pistol at a distance of seven yards from a silhouette target.
There are a number of online gun safety courses available for Missouri residents, such as the Introduction to Handgun Safety course, which can be taken for free. However, to apply for a concealed carry permit, a separate course taught by a qualified safety instructor is required.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Missouri passed constitutional carry on January 1, 2017, allowing residents to carry a concealed firearm without advanced training, law enforcement background checks, or a permit.
The legal age to own a firearm in Missouri is 19 years, while it is 18 years for members of the military or those honorably discharged.
Article 1, Section 23 of the Missouri state law states that "the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories...shall not be questioned."
Yes, local authorities in Missouri can restrict concealed carry in any building owned, leased, or controlled by the county or municipality, and a CCP may be required for open carry. Additionally, there are restricted locations, including courthouses and public passenger buses and trains.
To obtain a Missouri CCP, individuals must be at least 19 years old (18 for military personnel or honorably discharged) and have completed a firearms training course. The application must be made in the applicant's county of residence.
