Missouri Gun Laws

Missouri allows a person at least 19 years of age — or 18 if a current or honorably discharged U.S. Armed Forces member — to carry a concealable firearm without a permit, provided the firearm is lawfully possessed and the person is not in a § 571.107 restricted area. The framework dates to SB 656 (2016), effective January 1, 2017.

"Subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section does not apply to any person nineteen years of age or older or eighteen years of age or older and a member of the United States Armed Forces, or honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, transporting a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so long as such concealable firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed."

RSMo § 571.030.3 (vehicle/age exception) and § 571.030.4 (permit exception) statute

SB 656 (CCS HCS SB 656), passed over Governor Jay Nixon's veto on September 14, 2016, repealed and re-enacted RSMo §§ 571.030, 571.101, 571.104, 571.111, and 571.126, eliminating the concealed-carry permit requirement for eligible adults and authorizing 10-, 25-, and lifetime extended CCW permit options. The permitless-carry provisions took effect January 1, 2017.

"AN ACT To repeal sections 50.535, 563.031, 571.030, 571.101, 571.104, 571.111, and 571.126, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof fourteen new sections relating to weapons."

Senate Bill 656 (2016, 98th General Assembly) statute

The Missouri Concealed Carry Permit is issued by the applicant's county (or city) sheriff and is valid for five years. Minimum age is 19, or 18 for active-duty / honorably discharged U.S. Armed Forces members. Application fee is capped at $100; renewal at $50. The sheriff must conduct a NICS check and, absent disqualifying information, issue the permit within 45 days of application.

"The county or city sheriff... shall issue a concealed carry permit to any United States citizen or permanent resident alien... valid from the date of issuance or renewal until five years from such date."

RSMo § 571.101 (Concealed Carry Permit) statute

Missouri concealed carry permit applicants must complete a firearms safety course of at least eight hours conducted by a state-certified instructor, including classroom and live-fire components and a live-fire qualification of at least 20 rounds. Maximum student-to-instructor ratios are 40:1 in classroom and 5:1 on the range.

"a firearms safety course of at least eight hours in length."

RSMo § 571.111 (Firearms training requirements) statute

In addition to the standard five-year CCW, Missouri offers extended-term concealed carry permits under §§ 571.205-571.230: a 10-year permit, a 25-year permit, and a lifetime permit. These were created by SB 656 (2016).

"Lifetime or extended permit issuance"

RSMo § 571.205 to § 571.230 (Lifetime and extended permits) statute

RSMo § 571.104 governs the suspension, revocation, renewal, and reporting obligations tied to a Missouri concealed carry permit. A permit is suspended or revoked if the holder becomes ineligible under specified subdivisions of § 571.101.2 or upon issuance of a valid full order of protection. The statute also addresses name and residence change reporting and special provisions for active-duty military members.

"A concealed carry endorsement issued prior to August 28, 2013, shall be suspended or revoked if the concealed carry endorsement holder becomes ineligible for such endorsement under the criteria established in subdivisions (3), (4), (5), (8), and (11) of subsection 2 of section 571.101 or upon the issuance of a valid full order of protection."

RSMo § 571.104 (CCW permit suspension, revocation, renewal) statute

Missouri does not require a state permit to openly carry a firearm. However, § 21.750.3 preserves a narrow municipal authority to regulate the open carrying of firearms readily capable of lethal use, while exempting any person with a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit from such local ordinances. The practical effect is that a CCW permit holder may open-carry anywhere in the state, while a permitless carrier may be subject to a local open-carry ordinance in some municipalities.

"Any person with a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit who is open carrying a firearm shall be required to have a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit."

RSMo § 21.750.3 (preemption with open-carry exception) statute

Any person 19 or older (or 18 with U.S. Armed Forces service) who lawfully possesses a concealable firearm may transport it in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle without a permit. The statute does not distinguish between glove box, center console, or trunk, and does not require unloading. Rental cars are not separately addressed and follow the same rules.

"transporting a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so long as such concealable firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed."

RSMo § 571.030.3 (motor vehicle exception) statute

Missouri's parking-lot protection appears within the prohibited-places statute: in nearly all § 571.107 restricted locations, possession of a firearm inside a vehicle on the premises is expressly not a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished. This effectively shields employees, customers, and visitors who keep firearms locked in their vehicles at restricted sites including private workplaces that have posted against carry.

"Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises."

RSMo § 571.107.2 (employer parking-area protection) statute

Missouri honors a facially valid concealed carry permit issued by every other state that issues them. As listed on the Attorney General's reciprocity page, 36 states recognize the Missouri concealed carry permit: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MS, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY.

"Missouri's concealed carry law provides recognition of concealed weapons permits from every state that issues them."

Missouri Attorney General — Concealed Carry Reciprocity ag

Missouri codifies castle doctrine: a person may use deadly force against another who unlawfully enters, remains after unlawfully entering, or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling, residence, or vehicle lawfully occupied by such person. There is no duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence, or vehicle in which the person is not unlawfully present.

"Such force is used against a person who unlawfully enters, remains after unlawfully entering, or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling, residence, or vehicle lawfully occupied by such person."

RSMo § 563.031 (Use of force in defense of persons) statute

Missouri is a stand-your-ground state: a person has no duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence, or vehicle where the person is not unlawfully entering or remaining; from private property the person owns or leases; or if the person is in any other location the person has the right to be. SB 656 (2016) added the third category, expanding SYG to all places a person is lawfully present.

"If the person is in any other location such person has the right to be."

RSMo § 563.031.3 (no duty to retreat) statute

Missouri does not impose a general duty to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are armed. A concealed carry permit holder must carry the permit while carrying a concealed firearm and display it upon the request of any peace officer; failure to display is a $35 fine, not a criminal offense.

"shall display the concealed carry permit and a state or federal government-issued photo identification... upon the request of any peace officer."

RSMo § 571.121 (duty to carry and display permit) statute

RSMo § 571.107 lists seventeen categories where concealed carry is restricted even for permit holders, including police/sheriff stations, polling places within 25 feet on election day, jails and prisons, courthouses, government meetings, controlled portions of government buildings, bars (the portion primarily devoted to dispensing intoxicating liquor), airport secure areas, federally prohibited locations, schools and higher-education facilities, child care facilities, riverboat casinos, gated amusement parks, churches, posted private property, sports arenas seating 5,000+, and hospitals accessible to the public.

"Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol office or station without the consent of the chief law enforcement officer in charge."

RSMo § 571.107.1(1)-(17) (restricted concealed-carry locations) statute

Concealed carry is prohibited in any higher-education institution or K-12 facility without the consent of the governing body. Permit holders who store a firearm in a vehicle on school property are not committing an offense so long as the firearm is not removed or brandished. Carry on school premises by a person without consent is also independently barred by RSMo § 571.030.1(10).

"Any higher education institution or elementary or secondary school facility without the consent of the governing body of the higher [education institution]."

RSMo § 571.107.1(10) (schools) statute

A private property owner may post the premises as off-limits to concealed firearms, and a permit holder who enters in violation of a valid posting commits an offense. A first violation is treated as a civil infraction with a fine of up to $100; subsequent violations escalate. Posting does not affect the vehicle-on-premises safe-harbor.

"Any private property whose owner has posted the premises as being off-limits to concealed firearms by means of one or more signs."

RSMo § 571.107.1(15) (posted private property) statute

Concealed carry is restricted in any establishment licensed to dispense intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises, but only in the portion primarily devoted to that purpose. The carve-out for restaurants that serve alcohol but whose primary purpose is food service means lawful carry is generally permitted in a typical restaurant dining area.

"Any establishment licensed to dispense intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises, which portion is primarily devoted to that purpose."

RSMo § 571.107.1(7) (bars) statute

RSMo § 571.030.1(10) independently makes it a state offense to carry a firearm, loaded or unloaded, into any school, onto a school bus, or onto the premises of any school-sponsored function or activity. This applies in addition to the § 571.107.1(10) CCW-permit-holder restriction and reaches non-permit and permit holders alike.

"Carries a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any school, onto any school bus, or onto the premises of any function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials or the district school board."

RSMo § 571.030.1(10) (carry on school premises) statute

RSMo § 571.030.1(8) makes it a state offense for a non-permit holder to carry a firearm or other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any church or place where people have assembled for worship, without the consent of the minister or person representing the religious organization.

"Carries a firearm or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any church or place where people have assembled for worship."

RSMo § 571.030.1(8) (carry into place of worship) statute

Missouri requires federally licensed dealers (FFLs) to comply with the federal NICS background-check requirement under 18 U.S.C. § 922(b) and (x); RSMo § 571.080 makes a violation of those federal subsections a state offense. Missouri does NOT impose a universal background check on private, in-state firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals.

"A person commits the crime of transfer of a concealable firearm if such person violates 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b) or 18 U.S.C. Section 922(x)."

RSMo § 571.080 (transfer of concealable firearm) and 18 U.S.C. § 922(t) statute

Federal law makes it unlawful to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer a handgun or handgun ammunition to a juvenile (a person under 18), and unlawful for a juvenile to knowingly possess a handgun or handgun ammunition, subject to narrow exceptions for employment, ranching/farming, target practice, hunting, instruction, and defense of the residence. RSMo § 571.080 incorporates this federal prohibition into state law for transfer offenses.

"It shall be unlawful for a person to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer to a person who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile."

18 U.S.C. § 922(x) (juvenile handgun and ammunition prohibition) atf

18 U.S.C. § 922(b) prohibits federally licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, and collectors from selling or delivering firearms or ammunition to specified categories of persons, including those below the federal age minimums (handguns: 21; long guns: 18) and persons whose receipt would violate state or local law in the place of sale. RSMo § 571.080 makes a Missouri dealer's violation of § 922(b) a state offense.

"It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or deliver."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b) (licensed-dealer transfer restrictions) atf

Federal law requires a federally licensed dealer (FFL) to sell handguns only to buyers 21 or older and long guns only to buyers 18 or older. Missouri does not impose any state-level purchase-age requirement beyond federal law; private in-state transfers between unlicensed adults are not bound by these federal FFL minimums. RSMo § 571.080 makes violation of the federal age rules a state offense.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal); Missouri has no state purchase-age statute atf

Missouri does not require firearm registration. RSMo § 571.500 prohibits public officials from cooperating with the creation of a state or federal firearms database tracking lawful firearm ownership by Missouri residents. The preemption statute, § 21.750, additionally bars any political subdivision from imposing a registration regime.

"No public official, appointed official, or state, county, or municipal employee shall... cooperate with the creation of a database of firearms or firearm owners not in compliance with state and federal law."

RSMo § 21.750 (preemption) and § 571.500 (firearms database cooperation restrictions) statute

RSMo § 571.126 forbids any Missouri state agency from disclosing the statewide list of concealed carry permit and endorsement holders — including lifetime and extended permits — to the federal government. Individual records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for legitimate investigative purposes via the state law enforcement system.

"Notwithstanding any other state law to the contrary, no state agency shall disclose to the federal government the statewide list of persons who have obtained a concealed carry endorsement or permit, including Missouri lifetime and extended concealed carry permits."

RSMo § 571.126 (no federal disclosure of CCW list) statute

Missouri has not enacted an extreme risk protection order (red flag) law. RSMo Chapter 571 contains no ERPO mechanism. RSMo § 571.092, added by SB 754 (2024), is a rights-restoration statute — it allows a person who was adjudicated incapacitated and thereby became firearm-disabled to petition the court for removal of the firearm restriction. It is NOT a third-party ERPO petition mechanism against another person.

"Firearm restriction petitions and removal"

Missouri — no extreme risk protection order statute statute

RSMo § 571.092, added by SB 754 (2024), establishes a petition mechanism for persons adjudged incapacitated under chapter 475 (or otherwise subject to a firearm-disabling adjudication) to seek removal of firearm-purchase, -possession, and -transfer restrictions. The court may grant relief on clear-and-convincing evidence that the petitioner poses no danger to public safety. It is NOT a third-party ERPO petition mechanism.

"Any individual who has been adjudged incapacitated under chapter 475..."

RSMo § 571.092 (firearm rights restoration for adjudicated incapacitated persons) statute

Missouri has no state assault-weapon ban and preempts local governments from adopting one. The regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components is reserved exclusively to the General Assembly under § 21.750.

"The general assembly hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of legislation touching in any way firearms, components, ammunition and supplies to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance or regulation by any political subdivision of this state."

RSMo § 21.750 (preemption); no AWB statute statute

Missouri imposes no magazine-capacity limit, and the preemption statute bars local governments from imposing one. Components (which includes magazines) are explicitly within the preempted field.

"The general assembly hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of legislation touching in any way firearms, components, ammunition and supplies."

RSMo § 21.750 (preemption); no capacity statute statute

Missouri lists machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and firearm suppressors in § 571.020(1)(6), but the statute provides a complete defense if the item is possessed in conformity with applicable federal law. In practice this means an NFA-registered (Form 1 or Form 4) suppressor, SBR, SBS, or machine gun is lawful for civilian possession in Missouri.

"A person does not commit a crime under this section if his or her conduct... was the manufacture, transportation, possession, repair or sale of any item listed in subdivision (6) of subsection 1 of this section in conformity with any applicable federal law."

RSMo § 571.020 (Possession of certain weapons) and federal NFA statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration. Missouri has no additional state registry or tax stamp.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Missouri preempts the entire field of firearm, ammunition, and component regulation. Narrow exceptions in § 21.750.3 preserve local authority to regulate the open carrying of firearms readily capable of lethal use and the discharge of firearms within municipal limits, but any CCW permit holder open-carrying is exempt from those local ordinances.

"The general assembly hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of legislation touching in any way firearms, components, ammunition and supplies to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance or regulation by any political subdivision of this state."

RSMo § 21.750 statute

SB 656 (2016, 98th General Assembly) eliminated the state requirement to obtain a concealed carry permit for eligible adults, expanded castle doctrine and stand-your-ground, and created 10-year, 25-year, and lifetime CCW permit options. Governor Nixon's veto was overridden September 14, 2016; the permitless-carry provisions took effect January 1, 2017.

"AN ACT To repeal sections 50.535, 563.031, 571.030, 571.101, 571.104, 571.111, and 571.126, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof fourteen new sections relating to weapons."

Senate Bill 656 (2016) — Permitless carry statute

The Eighth Circuit, affirming the Western District of Missouri's summary judgment for the United States, held Missouri's 2021 Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB 85, codified at RSMo §§ 1.410-1.485) violates the Supremacy Clause and enjoined its enforcement. The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in Missouri v. United States, No. 24-796, on October 6, 2025, leaving SAPA permanently unenforceable.

"Because the Act purports to invalidate federal law in violation of the Supremacy Clause, we affirm the judgment."

United States v. State of Missouri, No. 23-1457 (8th Cir. Aug. 26, 2024) — SAPA struck down court

SS#2/SCS/SBs 754, 746, 788, 765, 841, 887 & 861, signed by Governor Parson July 9, 2024 and effective August 28, 2024, enacted RSMo § 571.031 (Blair's Law), making the reckless discharge of a firearm within or into the limits of a municipality a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a Class E felony for a second, and a Class D felony for a third or subsequent offense. The same act created § 571.092, a rights-restoration mechanism allowing a person who was adjudicated incapacitated to petition the court to remove the resulting firearm restriction.

"AN ACT To repeal sections 211.031, 211.071, 217.345, 217.690, 547.031, 556.021, 558.016, 558.019, 568.045, 571.015, 571.070, 575.010, 575.353, 578.007, 578.022, 579.065, 579.068, 590.192, 590.653, 600.042, and 610.140, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof twenty-nine new sections relating to public safety."

Senate Bill 754 (2024) — Blair's Law (unlawful firearm discharge) statute

On October 6, 2025, the United States Supreme Court denied Missouri's petition for a writ of certiorari from the Eighth Circuit's August 26, 2024 decision in United States v. State of Missouri, leaving in place the lower-court injunction against the Second Amendment Preservation Act. (The cert denial itself is not an opinion document; the underlying 8th Circuit opinion is cited as the operative judgment.)

"Because the Act purports to invalidate federal law in violation of the Supremacy Clause, we affirm the judgment."

Missouri v. United States, No. 24-796 (U.S. Oct. 6, 2025) — cert denied court

Blair's Law, codified at RSMo § 571.031 by SB 754 (2024) effective August 28, 2024, makes the reckless discharge of a firearm within or into the limits of a municipality a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a Class E felony for a second offense, and a Class D felony for a third or subsequent offense. The statute exempts discharges at licensed shooting ranges, lawful wildlife hunting in open season, lawful self-defense, and law enforcement use.

"This section shall be known and may be cited as 'Blair's Law'."

RSMo § 571.031 (Blair's Law — unlawful discharge of firearm) statute

Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act is codified at RSMo §§ 1.410 to 1.485. Enacted by HB 85 (2021), it purported to declare a range of federal firearm laws 'invalid to this state' and create a private right of action against state and local officers enforcing such federal laws. The Western District of Missouri permanently enjoined the Act in March 2023; the Eighth Circuit affirmed on August 26, 2024 (No. 23-1457); the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari October 6, 2025. SAPA remains on the books but is not enforceable.

"Sections 1.410 to 1.485 shall be known and may be cited as the 'Second Amendment Preservation Act'."

RSMo §§ 1.410 to 1.485 (Second Amendment Preservation Act, enjoined) statute

SS#2/SCS/SBs 754, 746, 788, 765, 841, 887 & 861, signed by Governor Parson on July 9, 2024, enacted RSMo § 571.031 (Blair's Law), making the reckless discharge of a firearm within or into the limits of a municipality a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a Class E felony for a second offense, and a Class D felony for a third or subsequent offense. The same act created § 571.092, a rights-restoration mechanism allowing a person adjudicated incapacitated to petition the court to lift the resulting firearm restriction.

Senate Bill 754 (2024)

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the United States in United States v. State of Missouri, No. 23-1457, holding the 2021 Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB 85, RSMo §§ 1.410-1.485) violates the Supremacy Clause because it purported to declare federal firearms laws 'invalid to this state.' The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari October 6, 2025 (Missouri v. United States, No. 24-796), leaving SAPA permanently unenforceable.

United States v. State of Missouri, No. 23-1457 (8th Cir.)

SB 656 (CCS HCS SB 656, 98th General Assembly), enacted over Governor Jay Nixon's veto on September 14, 2016, amended RSMo § 571.030 to allow any person 19+ (or 18+ with U.S. Armed Forces service) who lawfully possesses a concealable firearm to carry it without a permit. The same act expanded castle doctrine and stand-your-ground in § 563.031 and created 10-year, 25-year, and lifetime CCW permit options under §§ 571.205-571.230.

Senate Bill 656 (2016)