missouri gun laws???

Hoyt572

Hoyt572

New member
I will be moving to missouri soon and was wondering about their gun laws, I have a pretty firm understanding of the handgun laws as thats all I can find info on, but was wondering about long guns. What are the transportation laws for long guns, do they need to be in a case? locked? unloaded? In IL it is very clear that all guns must be unloaded (even a loaded mag next to it is ok as long as the mag isn't in the gun), and fully enclosed in a case? How does missouri work, can I just throw a loaded rifle behind the seat of my truck??
 
Yes you can, you can carry a loaded pistol in your glove box also if you are old enough. You do not need a CCW permit for this either. I don't remember the age limit, sorry.

Missouri is a free state, unlike the fecal hole state east of the big muddy river. No FOID card needed either.

Welcome to MO.
 
The last age restriction that I remember was 23, but there were some efforts to get it reduced to 21,,,I just haven't kept up with it's progress through the legislature...Doing a search through the MO Senate or House of Reps might bring up the current status..
 
I do know they just lowered CCW age to 21.

They raised it to 23 whenever I was 20 and then lowered it back to 21 once I turned 24......figures.
 
Originally Posted By: CoyotejunkiYes you can, you can carry a loaded pistol in your glove box also if you are old enough. You do not need a CCW permit for this either. I don't remember the age limit, sorry.

Missouri is a free state, unlike the fecal hole state east of the big muddy river. No FOID card needed either.

Welcome to MO.

Are you sure about this and does anyone else have an say on this, I do have a ccw and have done extensive research on that, but everyone seems to think that the long guns are left out because it says you may have a "concealable" firearm loaded in your car, and so far everyone on another forum I'm on seems to think that becuase they use that word that it excludes long guns???
 
Originally Posted By: Widow maker 223Glad ur getting out of the chit hole!! Now dont forget to vote this year.

You can bet your @ss I'll be out voting this year!!
 
The way I understand the rules is the last way you pointed out about rifle not being concealable. Last I checked I can carry a loaded pistol concealed in my vehicle or while on me while hunting without having the ccw but long guns are not considered concealable and I believe it is illegal to have one loaded behind your seat. I may be wrong but im pretty sure thats what I read.
 
Missouri gun laws refer to both 'concealed' and 'concealable' firearms and things can get confusing because of this. Missouri also allows cities/towns to outlaw 'open carry.' This adds to the total confusion.

If you are at least 21, you can carry a loaded 'concealable' firearm (handgun) in your vehicle without a permit. If you are in an area that allows open carry (most of the state) you can keep this gun exposed or concealed. If you are in a city/town that prohibits open carry, you must keep the handgun concealed within a vehicle. If you aren't sure of the local ordinances, concealed is legal in all areas.

Long guns can be trickier. If you in an area of the state that allow open carry (again, most of the state), you may carry a loaded long gun in your vehicle without a permit as long as it is exposed. This means on the seat, in a rack, on the dash, etc. Very common in farm country. If you live in a city/town that prohibits open carry and don't have a permit, you may not carry a loaded long gun within reach or easily available. Probably best to have it unloaded too. We don't have a rule requiring casing a long gun, but it might not hurt in an anti-gun area. If you have a permit, loaded long guns can be carried in a vehicle concealed in any jurisdiction because the ccw portion of the law uses the term 'concealed' rather than 'concealable.'

You may now get your ccw at 21. It was 23 until a couple of years ago.

Confused yet? Except for a few cities that have open carry restrictions, Missouri is a great gun/hunting state to live in. I live in a rural area and always have a handgun and long gun in my truck. When the coyotes are active, my .223 in on the passenger seat, loaded, and ready to rock and roll.
 
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Thanks for the above information ^^^^^^^ I will also be living on a rurl 120 acre farm, and intended to keep some form of a rifle in my truck, I do also have a concealed carry permit, but from what I was told that didn't cover a long gun in my truck.
 
As should be said, you would be best advised to talk to a lawyer knowledgeable in this area of MO law. I am not a lawyer.

CYA

on a side note, it was brought to my attention that if you have a loaded pistol in your vehicle, and you have been drinking, whether you were driving or a passenger, you may be charged with a felony. I don't know if true or not but I am going to check it out.
 
Originally Posted By: CoyotejunkiAs should be said, you would be best advised to talk to a lawyer knowledgeable in this area of MO law. I am not a lawyer.

CYA

on a side note, it was brought to my attention that if you have a loaded pistol in your vehicle, and you have been drinking, whether you were driving or a passenger, you may be charged with a felony. I don't know if true or not but I am going to check it out.

to the best of my knoledge that is true
 
Drinking with loaded firearm is instant felony. But if sober with loaded gun in vehicle "which just makes sense anyway" is legal. I've been pulled over while going between stands and I always mention up front "hey this guns loaded just want to let you know" and they usually just ask for me to step back to their car so guns out of reach. Not a problem in missouri. Welcome
 
I had an e-mail exchange with one of Missouri's assistant attorney generals in Jefferson City concerning long guns and ccw. After doing some research, he (Peter Lyskowski under then Attorney General Nixon) stated that the ccw portion of the law used the term 'concealed' firearm and not 'concealable' firearm (as the 'car carry provision does) and, therefore, the ccw permit allows concealing long guns in your vehicle. His words:

"It would appear that someone with a CCW endorsement may carry a concealed long gun on his or her person or in his or her vehicle. Someone without a CCW endorsement may not, at least if that person does not wish to spend a bunch of money in hopes of getting a conviction for unlawful use of a weapon overturned by a court interpreting the statutes in his/her favor."


His e-mail was three pages long and went into great analysis of the law. He admitted the law was confusing to some and could cause some issues among law enforcement (who don't totally understand the law) during a roadside stop (not a good thing).

Take your chances, I guess, or err on the safe side.
 
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Originally Posted By: Tyler BurginDrinking with loaded firearm is instant felony.

Not true. It is not a felony to be drinking and in possession of a firearm in Missouri. Just potentially stupid.

Until recently (a year or so ago), it was against the law to be INTOXICATED and in possession of a firearm. Never was against the law to have a glass of wine and have your ccw on you. One could argue the sensibility of it, but that is an argument of sensibilities and not legalities.

Recently (a year and a half ago, I believe) the law was relaxed even more so in order to be breaking the law you have to meet three conditions. You have to be (1)intoxicated, (2)in possession of a firearm, AND (3)causing a problem with the firearm (shooting, brandishing, threatening, etc.).

Many in law enforceement and prosecution don't keep very updated on these law changes, so be careful out there. You still read arrests in the newspaper concerning someone being under the infuence and in mere possession. But once the details of the new law are researched, you rarely see charges pressed or they are dropped if already pressed.
 
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