Missouri is a permitless carry state, but you can only conceal carry with a pistol permit.

To apply for a pistol permit, you must meet the requirements provided by Missouri pistol permit laws.

Missouri Gun Permit Summary

Missouri is a shall-issue state, and the sheriff office in a local county is in charge of issuing the pistol permit.

To buy firearms in the state, you must complete a criminal record background check.

How To Get A Gun Permit In Missouri?

To get a gun permit in Missouri, you must be nineteen years old or more, and a resident of the state.

Missouri only issues permit for concealed carry.

Missouri Gun Permits Laws

Open carry in Missouri is legal for anybody who is eighteen years old or more and without any prohibition of firearms.

However, local municipalities in Missouri can regulate the possession of firearms within their boundaries. An example is Crestwood city that will only permit open carry for those that have a gun license.

Missouri prohibits the possession, manufacturing, and transportation of machine guns and similar assault weapons in the state. It is a felony act to go against this prohibition.

Also, the use of exploding bullets is illegal in Missouri.

Missouri Gun Law Permit Requirements

To apply for gun permits in Missouri, you must meet the state gun laws’ requirements.

  • You must be nineteen years old or more, except you are a member of the military, in which case you must be at least eighteen.
  • You must be a legal citizen of the United States of America.
  • You must be a resident of Missouri or a member of the military posted to the state.
  • You must complete a firearm training course.
  • You must not be a convict for any crime with more than a year jail term punishment, a misdemeanor crime with a jail term of at most two years, and a firearm or pistol permit.
  • You must not be guilty of driving under the influence or use of any illicit substance under the Drug Enforcement Agency’s control for five years before the permit application.
  • You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.
  • You must not be an out of service member of the United States Armed Forces discharged due to dishonorable characters.
  • You must not have a record of behavior that casts doubt on your ability to behave in a manner that considers you a threat to yourself or others.
  • You must not be mentally unstable or a patient in a medical institution for five years before applying for a Missouri permit application.
  • You must not have a protection order from a judge that restricts you from possessing firearms.
  • You must meet all other federal requirements for obtaining permits.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In Missouri

A summary of firearms permits in Missouri includes the following:

  • State permit to purchase long guns: Missouri does not issue a state permit to purchase long guns.
  • State permits to purchase handguns: Missouri does not issue a state permit to purchase handguns.
  • State permit to open carry: Missouri is a permissive state, so no permit required to open carry.
  • State permits to conceal carry long guns: Missouri does not issue a state permit to conceal long guns.
  • State permits to conceal carry handguns: Missouri issues a pistol permit to conceal carry handguns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Missouri?

Initial permit applications in Missouri costs ninety-three dollars, while renewal permit application is fifty dollars.

For a lifetime or extended permits, the cost for the application is five hundred dollars.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In Missouri?

The process for gun permit application in Missouri Includes the following:

Complete Your Firearm Training

You must complete your firearm training class.

Download Application

You can either download and complete a hard copy application or, you apply online.

This depends on your county or municipality regulation. You also have to provide proof of residency that you live in that county.

Submit Application

You can either submit your application online or in the office of your local sheriff.

You will have to pay a designated amount and provide your fingerprints.

For the renewal permit process, you receive a mail reminding you of the expiry date within three to six months before the permit expires.

You have until one year after the permit expires before you complete the renewal permit application.

If you do not complete the application within this period, you will forfeit the permit, and you have to apply for a new one again.

After completing the application, take it along with either your driver’s license or any Mississippi issued identification card to the sheriff’s office of your local county.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With Missouri

Missouri is a permitless carry state, and you do not need a permit to open or concealed carry.

Other aspects of its reciprocity deal include the following:

States That Missouri Will Accept Their Pistol Permit

Missouri will accept pistol permits issued from any jurisdiction in the country, and at the same time, you can possess firearms without a pistol permit if you are nineteen years old or more.

States That Recognize Missouri Pistol Permit

As a resident of Missouri, you can make use of your firearms in these states. However, you must only handle the firearms according to the gun laws of the states. They include the following:

  • Alabama
  • Delaware
  • Indiana
  • Montana
  • North Dakota

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity With Missouri

You can make use of your Missouri pistol license in these states, but there are other individual requirements you must meet before you can be able to possess firearms with the permit. These states include the following:

  • colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Puerto Rico

States That Do Not Require A Pistol Permit For The Possession Of Firearms

Just like Missouri, these states are permitless carry states that do not require any firearm permit to possess a gun in their territory. They include the following:

  • Arizona
  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In Missouri?

Most frequently asked questions about Missouri pistol permit, its renewal and application include the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In Missouri?

Yes, to conceal carry in Missouri, you must have a gun license in the state.

For How Long Is Missouri Pistol Permit Valid?

A normal Missouri gun license is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal permit.

However, there are options for ten to twenty years and lifetime permits. For more information about this, consult your local county sheriff.

Can Non-Residents Apply For Missouri Firearm Permits?

No, only non-residents who are military members stationed in Missouri can apply for a Missouri gun license. Also, spouses of military members that are nineteen years old or more can possess firearms in the state.

How Can I Change The Name And Address On My Missouri Pistol Permit?

For a change of name on a Missouri gun license, you have at least thirty days from the date that you effect the name change to notify the sheriff of your local county.

The sheriff will approve a new permit at a cost not more than ten dollars, to process the new permit.

Failure to notify the sheriff within the stipulated time will lead to an extra fee charge of ten dollars for six months.

If you do not notify the sheriff within one hundred and eighty days, you will forfeit the permit.

For a change of address on your Missouri pistol permit, there is no need for a new permit, except you move away to another county.

If you move to another county, you have a period of thirty days to inform your new county sheriff about the change of residence.

The fee for a new permit is ten dollars.

What Can I Do If I Lost My Missouri Permit Or It Gets Stolen?

You must report a case of a stolen or missing permit at the sheriff’s office within seven days after the theft or the day you realize that it is missing.

The sheriff will request a statement to explain the theft and issue you a permit at least three days after. You must also pay the required fee.

How Soon Can I Apply For A Missouri Pistol Permit After Moving To The State?

As soon as you become a resident of Missouri, you can apply for a pistol permit at your local county sheriff’s office.

Can I Make Use Of Missouri Gun Permit After Moving To Another State In The Country?

Upon moving to another state in Missouri, your Missouri pistol license expires and becomes invalid.

Do I Need A Missouri Pistol Permit To Open Carry In The State?

No, Missouri does not issue a pistol permit for open carry of firearms in the state.

Missouri is a permissive open carry state, and anybody that is nineteen years old or more without a state prohibition to possess firearms can open carry in the state.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Apply For Missouri Pistol Permit?

You must be at least nineteen years old to apply for a pistol permit in Missouri. However, members of the military must be at least eighteen years old to apply for the gun license.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In Missouri?

No, Missouri does not issue a purchase permit to buy firearms in the state.

Does My Firearm Permit Exempt Me From Completing A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Missouri?

No, you must complete a criminal record background check regardless of if you have a Missouri pistol permit or not.

Do I Need A Missouri Pistol Permit To Possess Firearms In My Private Property?

No, you can possess firearms in your home residence or any privately owned building without a pistol permit.

Do I Need To Complete A Firearm Training Before Applying For Missouri Gun License?

Yes, you must complete any state-approved firearm training conducted by a certified instructor before you apply for a gun license in Missouri.

What Is The Processing Period For Pistol License In Missouri?

The processing period for Missouri gun licenses is forty-five days.

Is Missouri A Preemption Gun Law State?

Yes, the state government reserves rights to regulate the possession of firearms in the state. However, local municipalities can control the discharge of firearms and open carry with their boundaries.

What Is The Age For Firearm Possession In Missouri?

You must be at least eighteen years old to possess firearms in Missouri.

Relevant Gun Permit Laws And Legislature In Missouri

Some of Missouri gun laws concerning the possession of firearms in the state and use of permits include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In Private Vehicles

You can possess firearms in a private vehicle without a Missouri pistol permit as long as the firearm remains in the vehicle in restricted or off-limit areas of the state.

[§ 571.030, RSMo] [§ 571.107.1, RSMo]

Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas

You can possess firearms in roadside areas if the state.

Possession Of Firearms In State Parks, Forests, And Wildlife Management Areas

According to Missouri gun laws [10 CSR 90-2.020] [3 CSR 10-7.432(1)], you can make use of firearms in state parks, wildlife areas, and forests.

However, make sure you check with a park website before you make use of a firearm there.

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurant And Bar Areas OF The State

According to the Missouri gun statute, [§ 571.107.1(7), RSMo], you can possess firearms in restaurant areas except a post is prohibiting the possession of firearms in these areas.

However, to possess firearms in bar areas, you must have the permission of the bar management.

Possession Of Firearms In Hotels

Missouri gun laws allow private properties and businesses to prohibit the possession of firearms in their premises. However, there must be a post or signage prohibiting the possession of firearms within the premises.

Hotels can develop privacy policies or laws to regulate the possession of firearms within their territory. For more information about this, check the hotel website page.

§ 571.107.1, RSMo]

Additional Resources

Missouri Gun Laws
Missouri Concealed Carry Laws
Missouri Open Carry Laws

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