State Laws · MO
Missouri Gun Laws
Effective as of January 1, 2017 (constitutional carry under SB 656). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed & Open Carry
Missouri adopted constitutional carry under SB 656, effective January 1, 2017. Persons aged 19 and older (military at 18) who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is legal for anyone who can legally possess a firearm. Missouri issues a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) through county sheriffs for reciprocity purposes.
Key statute: RSMo § 571.030 — unlawful use of weapons. As amended, this section does not apply to constitutional carry by eligible persons. RSMo § 571.101 through 571.121 — governs the concealed carry permit system.
Second Amendment Preservation Act
In 2021, Missouri enacted the Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB 85), which declares federal gun laws that do not have a state equivalent to be unenforceable in Missouri and prohibits state and local cooperation with federal enforcement of those laws. This law has been subject to legal challenges.
Who Cannot Carry
Prohibited persons under Missouri law include: convicted felons, fugitives from justice, persons habitually intoxicated, persons currently adjudicated as mentally incompetent, and persons under 19 (18 for military). Federal prohibitions also apply.
Prohibited Locations
Missouri prohibits firearms in: any police, sheriff, or highway patrol office, within 25 feet of a polling place on election day, jails and prisons, courthouses, government meetings with posted prohibition, school property (with exceptions for concealed carry on school grounds by persons with a valid CCP), churches (unless authorized), establishments that post notice prohibiting firearms, and certain amusement parks.
Purchase Requirements
No permit is required to purchase any firearm. All FFL sales require a NICS background check. Private sales do not require a background check. There is no waiting period, no firearms registry, no assault weapons ban, and no magazine restriction.
Citations
RSMo Chapter 571 (weapons offenses); SB 656 (2016); HB 85 (Second Amendment Preservation Act, 2021).
Look up statutes at Missouri General Assembly →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →Missouri statutes
Missouri General Assembly →This link goes to Missouri's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.