Missouri is a permitless carry state that allows the possession and usage of firearms in its jurisdictions.

However, the state still issues firearms permits.

Before you open carry in Missouri, you must be familiar with the gun laws of the state related to this practice.

Missouri Gun Laws Summary

Missouri issues concealed carry permits for the use of firearms in the state.

The application process for the permit is at the local level by the office of the sheriff.

Missouri is a shall-issue state, so you should not have any problem with getting your application approved as long as you meet all requirements.

The state does not issue a purchase permit to buy a firearm; neither can you use a concealed carry permit for this purpose.

But you must complete a background check except you are buying from a private dealer.

To apply for the concealed carry permit, you must either be a nineteen years old resident or an eighteen years old military member posted to the state.

Is It Legal To Open Carry In Missouri?

Yes. You must be at least eighteen years old without any state prohibition to use firearms before you qualify for open carry in Missouri.

Open Carry Laws In Missouri

Missouri is a permissive carry state, and you do not need a permit to open carry firearms.

However, there are restrictions on the types of firearms you can open carry.

Assault weapons are not allowed in the state, and anybody that manufactures, sells, or possesses one is guilty of a felony.

Missouri Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoNoYou do not need a license to open carry in Missouri according to gun laws in the state.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoThere are no state requirements to register handguns, long guns, or any other type of firearms.
Assault weapon for open carry.NoNoMissouri gun laws prohibit assault weapons, and this means that they cannot be sold, possessed, manufactured, or purchased.  
Magazine limitNonoMissouri Does not have any magazine limit for firearms, neither are large capacity firearms prohibited in the state.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredNo license is specially issued to firearms owners in the state.
Red flag lawNoNoMissouri does not have any red flag law in the state to issue a protection or restriction order.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesMissouri adopts castle doctrine policy, and you can stand your ground without a duty to retreat as long as you are lawfully obligated to be at a place
Background check for private dealersNoNoPrivate dealers of firearms in Missouri are not under any form of obligation to carry out a criminal record background check before selling a gun in the state.
PreemptionYesYesMissouri has preemption gun laws in the state, and this supersedes every other local regulation of firearms. However, municipalities and districts can still control the use of weapons within their territories.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesYou can conceal carry with your Missouri concealed carry permit. While this is not mandatory by state law, municipalities might require it.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in your car, with your firearm kept out of public view.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoMissouri prohibits open carry in schools, colleges, universities, and other institutions.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Missouri?

You can open carry in the following areas of Missouri:

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry only in the restaurant area as long as the possession of firearms in such premises is not prohibited.
  • Personal vehicle: You can open carry in your car with your firearm in view.
  • Roadside areas: You can open carry in roadside areas of Missouri.
  • State parks, forests, and wildlife management areas: You can open carry in these places in Missouri.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Missouri?

Missouri gun laws prohibit the possession of firearms in the following parts of the state.

  • Schools: You cannot open carry in schools, elementary and secondary, or any facility used by a school without consent from the school management.
  • Daycare: You cannot open carry in daycare or any facility used for children’s care in the state.
  • Polling units: You cannot open carry in polling units during elections in the state. The closest to a polling unit you can be with your firearms is twenty-five feet.
  • Prisons: You cannot open carry in any state prison, jail, correctional home, or detention facilities.
  • Courthouses: You cannot open carry on the premises of a courthouse or during a regular court proceeding.
  • General meeting by state official: You cannot open carry in any state meeting.
  • Bars: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in bars or any establishment where there is on-site consumption of alcohol.
  • Secured areas of an airport: You cannot open carry or possess a firearm in any part of an airport controlled for inspection.
  • Counties and municipalities building: You cannot open carry in any building owned or controlled by local authorities in the state.
  • Parks with gate: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in any fenced area in Missouri.
  • Stadiums: You cannot possess firearms or open carry in any stadium or event center that has more than a holding capacity of five thousand people.
  • Public transport: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in public buses or Missouri mass metro trains.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in areas prohibited by federal laws of the state.

FAQs About Open Carry Missouri

Some of Missouri open carry most frequently asked questions you must know, includes the following:

Must I Apply For A Permit Before I Open Carry In Missouri?

No, Missouri state law does not require that you own a permit for open carry in the state.

However, this may not be the case in some counties and municipalities that require firearms for open carry.

Do I Need A Permit for Concealed Carry In Missouri?

You do not necessarily need a permit to conceal carry in Missouri since it is a permitless carry state.

Regardless, you can apply for the state concealed carry permit in case you need to conceal carry in municipalities that are particular about licenses.

At What Age Can I Open Carry In Missouri?

You must be at least eighteen years old to open carry in Missouri.

At What Age Can I Conceal Carry In Missouri?

The age requirement for concealed carry in Missouri is nineteen years old, except members of the United States Armed Forces that must be eighteen years old before concealed carry in the state.

At What Age Can I Apply For Missouri Concealed Carry Permit?

You must be at least eighteen years old to apply for a concealed carry permit in Missouri.

Eighteen years old is for members of the military posted to the state.

Does Missouri Have A Red Flag Law In The State?

No. Missouri gun statutes are silent on red flag law or the issuing of state protection or restriction orders to those that are a threat while possessing firearms.

Is Missouri Concealed Carry Permit Valid For Non-residents Of The State?

No. The permit is valid for only residents and members of the military posted for duties in the state.

But since Missouri is a permitless state, non-residents can still possess and make use of firearms without permits, if they meet the requirements to do so.

Is Missouri A Permitless Carry State?

Yes, Missouri is a permitless carry state, and it is not mandatory to issue a permit for firearm possession in the state.

Can I Open Carry Knives In Missouri?

Missouri does not prohibit the use of knives, and it is legal to open carry knives regardless of their type.

Can I Conceal Carry Knives In Missouri?

You can also conceal carry knives in Missouri, but unlike open carry of knives, there is a limitation to types of knives you can conceal carry.

Missouri prohibits any knife that is foldable and more extended than four inches. You can conceal carry pocket knives.

Also, the state does not permit concealed carry of knives in personal vehicles, and it places where firearms are not allowed.

Does Missouri Gun Law Have Firearm Restrictions In The State?

Yes, there are some firearms and ammunition in the state that are defined as assault weapons, and it is a felony crime to possess them or have them as open carry weapons.

They include the following:

  • Machine guns or semi-automatic firearms.
  • Rifles less than sixteen inches.
  • Shotguns less than eighteen inches.
  • A firearm silencer.
  • Gas gun.
  • Metal penetrating bullets.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In Missouri?

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

Must I Complete A Criminal Record Background Check Before Purchasing Firearms In Missouri?

Yes. This is a compulsory requirement before you can purchase firearms from a state or federally licensed seller in Missouri.

When Will Missouri Conceal Carry Permit Expire?

A standard Missouri conceal carry permit expires after five years.

However, there are options for permits that are valid for ten years, twenty years, or even a lifetime permit.

Ask about this from your local county.

Do I Have A Duty To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In Missouri?

You do not have any obligation to inform law enforcement officers about possession of a firearm when you encounter them.

Does Missouri Have Castle Doctrine Policy?

Missouri is the twenty-fifth state to adopt castle doctrine policy in the United States of America, and this allows residents to stand their ground anywhere they have legal rights to be as long as they are not the aggressor.

Does Missouri Allow The Use Of Deadly Force During Self Defense?

Yes, you can make use of deadly force in the following circumstances, while exercising self-defense.

When you have a cause to believe that deadly force is necessary to defend yourself or third parties, against an attack that could lead to severe bodily harm, death, or forcible felony.

When an intruder illegally breaks into your house, dwelling place, or your vehicle.

Is Firearm Training Compulsory For Concealed Carry Application In Missouri?

Yes, you must complete one of the state-licensed courses conducted by a certified instructor.

Is Registration Of Firearms A Requirement For Concealed Carry In Missouri?

No, there are no requirements to register handguns or any other type of firearm in the state.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Missouri

Some of the gun laws in Missouri that have to do with open carry in the state include the following:

Ammunition Restriction

Missouri prohibits the possession, use, and sales of exploding bullets in the state.

Exploding bullets according to gun laws in Missouri are those bullets that will expose upon discharging a firearm.

Preemption Laws In Missouri

Yes, Missouri has preemption laws on all gun statutes in the state.

This means that the state gun law supersedes those of local government areas.

However, local municipalities districts and counties can regulate can:

  • Ban the possession of a firearm, open carry, and concealed carry in buildings, properties or facilities owned or controlled by the authority of municipalities and counties.
  • Request for a permit to open carry, conceal carry or handle firearms in the jurisdiction.
  • Regulate the shooting of firearms in the state.

Brandishing Of Firearms

If you brandish your firearm carelessly in Missouri, you will be guilty of unlawful use of a firearm.

This law also includes a person that deliberately brandishes firearms in such a way that scares others.

Hunting While Open Carry

Open carry during hunting in Missouri is legal, and you can also open carry while bow hunting.

Missouri has a hunter’s protection law that helps preserve hunting activity in the state, and this includes:

  • Anybody that interferes with hunting, trapping, and fishing in Missouri commits an offense and violates Missouri hunter harassment laws.
  • It is also a violation to deliberately pursue or disturb the activity of games in the wild such that it interferes with hunting activities in the state.
  • Nobody shall disturb or harass a hunter who has legal rights to hunt in wildlife or forests in the state.
  • Nobody shall trespass on privately or publicly owned land areas meant for hunting without obtaining permission from the owner or anybody they place in charge of the wildlife.

Additional Resources

Missouri Gun Laws
Missouri Concealed Carry Laws
Missouri Gun Permit Laws

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