DRIVER'S LICENSE LINKED TO Carry Permit?

Yes. Missouri has a statewide database that will display CCP on either a DL or a non-DL ID.

Carry While Consuming Alcohol?

Not while intoxicated. [§ 571.107.1(7), RSMo] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Missouri. However, counties and municipalities may: Prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms, even by persons permitted to do so under state law, in any building or portion of a building owned, leased or controlled by the county or municipality [§ 571.107.1(6) RSMo]; Require a concealed carry permit for open carry; and Regulate the discharge of firearms. [§ 21.750, RSMo]

No. Missouri does not have a red flag law.

Duty to Inform Officer You're Carrying?

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Missouri unless the officer asks. [§ 571.121, RSMo]

PUBLIC ACCESS TO CONCEALED CARRY REGISTRY?

No. The Missouri concealed carry registry is not accessible by the public.

No definition of brandishing was found in Missouri law. However, a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons if he or she knowingly exhibits, in the presence of two or more people, any weapon capable of lethal use in an angry or threatening manner. [§ 571.030(4) RSMo]

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

No, unless an individual refuses to leave or repeatedly enters the premises while carrying a concealed weapon. [§ 571.107.1(15), RSMo][§ 571.107.2, RSMo]

CARRY WHILE BOW HUNTING?

Yes, but they cannot be used to take wildlife while deer hunting. [MO Admin. Rules Dept of Conservation 3 CSR 10-7.432]

HUNTER HARASSMENT LAW?

Yes. A person commits the offense of interference with hunting, fishing, or trapping in the first degree if he or she intentionally interferes with the lawful taking of wildlife by another or if he or she enters or remains in a hunting, fishing or trapping area where lawful hunting, fishing or trapping may occur with the intent to interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife. [§ 578.151 RSMo]

WEAR A COVID MASK & CARRY?

There is no known statute in Missouri making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. In addition, the governor’s office is not aware of any specific provision that would restrict an individual who lawfully conceals and carries from doing so in public while simultaneously wearing a protective facial mask.

WHAT ARE THE KNIFE LAWS IN MISSOURI?

It is legal to own and openly carry any type of knife in Missouri. You may concealed carry only a pocketknife with a folding blade less than 4 inches. You may not concealed carry any other knife on your person or in your vehicle. You may not concealed carry a knife into any area where firearms are restricted under section 571.107. [§§ 571.107, 571.030 & 571.010, RSMo]

CARRY WHILE GUN HUNTING?

Yes, but they cannot be used to take wildlife while deer hunting. [MO Admin. Rules Dept of Conservation 3 CSR 10-7.431]

Yes, without a permit and on restricted premises, so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on restricted premises. Restricted premises are locations where concealed carry is not allowed in the state of Missouri. [§ 571.030, RSMo][§ 571.107.1, RSMo]

STORE IN A VEHICLE IN AN EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT?

Not addressed in Missouri state law, although employers may have a policy.

CARRY IN STATE/NATIONAL PARKS, STATE/NATIONAL FORESTS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS (WMAS)?

Yes. Missouri allows the carrying of concealed handguns in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Missouri. [10 CSR 90-2.020][3 CSR 10-7.432(1)]

CARRY IN BARS/RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE ALCOHOL?

You may conceal carry in the restaurant area only without the consent of the manager, but not if posted and provided you are not intoxicated. The manager's consent is required for carry in the bar area. [§ 571.107.1(7), RSMo]

CARRY/POSSESS AT A HOTEL?

Any private business may prohibit a permitholder from carrying a concealed handgun on the premises provided the owner has posted the premises as being off-limits to concealed firearms by means of one or more signs displayed in a conspicuous place of a minimum size of eleven inches by fourteen inches with the writing thereon in letters of not less than one inch. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information. [§ 571.107.1, RSMo]

CARRY AT ROADSIDE REST AREAS?

Yes. You may carry a concealed weapon at roadside rest areas.

Missouri gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Missouri is a permitless carry state as well as a shall-issue state. However, permits are issued for reciprocity purposes, at the local level by county sheriffs.

There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.

Open carry and concealed carry are legal in Missouri without a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) for anyone 19 years or older who can legally possess a firearm (18 for members of the military or honorably discharged). However, local authorities can restrict concealed carry in any building owned, leased or controlled by the county or municipality and may require a CCP for open carry. Missouri law does not plainly state you don’t need a permit to carry. They changed the definition of “unlawful use of a weapon” to only apply when a person carries a weapon into a place that is off-limits per Missouri law.

To obtain a Missouri CCP, you must be at least 19 years old (18 for members of the military or honorably discharged) and have passed a firearms training course. The application must be made in your county of residence. Non-resident permits are only available to persons who are on active military duty or veterans who are at least 18 years old and stationed in Missouri. There are a number of restricted locations including courthouses and public passenger buses and trains. In terms of reciprocity, since permitless carry is legal in Missouri anyone 19 years or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.

Where can I carry with my Missouri permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

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Missouri Concealed Carry License Information

Name/Address Changes:

If you change your name, you have 30 days to notify your sheriff and obtain a corrected or new permit. The sheriff may charge you no more than $10 to process the name change. If you do not notify your sheriff within 30 days that you have changed your name, the sheriff MUST, by law, charge you a late fee of $10 per month for each month up to six months. If you neglect to notify your sheriff within 180 days that you have changed your name, your permit automatically becomes invalid.

You are not required to report a change of address unless you move to a different county. You have 30 days to notify the sheriff of the county into which you move of your permanent residence location. The sheriff may charge you no more than $10 to process the address change. If you do not notify the sheriff within 30 days that you have moved into their county, the sheriff MUST, by law, charge you a late fee of $10 per month for each month up to six months. If you neglect to notify the sheriff within 180 days that you have moved into their county, your permit automatically becomes invalid. You will get a new permit number and a new card from the sheriff.

Within 7 days of actually discovering the loss or destruction of the permit, the permit holder must appear at the sheriff’s department to furnish a written statement that the permit is lost/destroyed. A replacement permit will be issued within 3 days for a fee.

Lost/Stolen Permits:

Requirements:

An applicant must:

Be at least age 19, or be at least 18 and a member of the United States Armed Forces or honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces;
Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
Be either a resident of Missouri, a member of the Armed Forces stationed in Missouri or the spouse of such a military member;
Have taken a firearms training course;
Not have pled guilty to or entered a plea of no contest or have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year, other than a crime classified as a misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment of 2 years or less that does not involve an explosive weapon, firearm, firearm silencer or gas gun;
Not have been convicted of, pled guilty to or entered a plea of no contest to one or more misdemeanor offenses involving crimes of violence during the immediately preceding 5-year period, or not have been convicted of 2 or more misdemeanor offenses involving driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or the possession or abuse of a controlled substance during the immediately preceding 5-year period;
Not be a fugitive from justice or currently charged in an information or indictment with the commission of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year, other than a crime classified as a misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment of 2 years or less that does not involve an explosive weapon, firearm, firearm silencer or gas gun;
Not have been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces;
Not have been engaged in a pattern of behavior, documented in public records, that causes the sheriff to have a reasonable belief that the applicant presents a danger to himself, herself or others;
Not have been adjudged mentally incompetent at the time of application or for 5 years prior to application, or committed to a mental health facility or a similar institution located in another state following a hearing at which the applicant was represented by counsel or a representative;
Not be the respondent of a valid “full order of protection” that is still in effect; and
Must meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Missouri.

Fees:

$93 for new permits

$50 for renewals (An individual who fails to file a renewal application on or before its expiration must pay an additional late fee of $10.00 per month for each month it is expired up to six months. Any person who fails to renew his/her application within the six-month period must reapply for a new certificate of qualification, including fingerprints and training, for a concealed carry endorsement and pay the $100.00 statutory fee for a new application.)

$500 for lifetime permit (extended and lifetime permits are not valid outside of MO)

Application:

Link to application

Boone County Online Permit Application

Processing Time:

45 days

Valid For:

5 years

There are options for 10 and 20-year extended permits as well as lifetime permits. Consult with your county Sheriff's office before applying for an extended permit.

Residency Changes:

Moving to Missouri and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?Missouri issues permits to residents and members of the military stationed in Missouri and their spouses only. You can apply for your permit with the sheriff of your county once you have established your residence in that county.

Moving from Missouri and have a Missouri resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Missouri permit remains valid?If a person with a Missouri pistol permit establishes residency in another state, the pistol permit expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits:

Non-resident permits are only available to persons who are on active military duty or veterans who are at least 18 years old and stationed in Missouri. The spouses of active military personnel can also apply for a permit if they are at least 19 years old and reside in the state. The application and process are similar to that for residents.

How to get a Missouri Concealed Weapons Permit

Step 1:

Complete 8 hours of firearms training or the 1-hour online NRA firearms safety course, with the remainder of the training provided by a qualified concealed carry instructor.

Step 2:

Download and complete a hard copy (or online for Boone County) application. Provide proof of residence (required by some counties).

Step 3:

Take the completed application to the county sheriff's office or submit online where applicable.

Pay the fee.

You will be fingerprinted.

Step 4:

You will be notified if your application has been approved.

Missouri Self-Defense Laws

Self-Defense

Missouri is a Castle Doctrine state and became the 25th state to adopt a “stand your ground” law. It empowers gun owners to defend themselves outside of their homes or properties. Individuals are not required to retreat, wherever they may lawfully be, prior to using deadly force. This assumes the person was not the initial aggressor and is not attempting to commit a crime.

Physical force is justifiable:

When an individual believes that the physical force used is necessary for the defense of themselves (or others) from an attack of unlawful force from another person.
When an individual believes that the force is reasonably necessary to prevent another person from stealing, damaging or tampering with property.

Deadly force is justifiable:

When an individual reasonably believes that the force is necessary for self-defense or defense of others (including unborn children) to prevent death, serious physical injury or a forcible felony.
When an individual uses such force against a person who unlawfully enters a dwelling, residence or vehicle.
When an individual uses such force against a person who unlawfully enters, attempts to enter or remains after unlawfully entering private property where the owner of authorized individual claims justification for using protective force under this law.

It should be noted that in 2016, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District held in State v. Whipple that deadly force under the castle doctrine can only be used when you reasonably believe such force is necessary to protect yourself or someone else from “the use or imminent use of unlawful force” and not solely to protect property.

Missouri law also prohibits political subdivisions to preclude the use of firearms to defend people or property.

[§§ 563.033 and 563.041, RSMo]

Missouri Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-04-08

Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.

2021-05-18

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

2020-11-17

Added information on accepted firearms training in the Training Section

Yes, Selected State:	Missouri
Yes, Constitutional Carry:	Kansas, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Montana, New Hampshire, Maine, Utah, Arizona, Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, North Dakota, Kentucky, Wyoming, Iowa, West Virginia, Mississippi, Indiana, Georgia, Idaho, South Carolina
Yes, Allowed to Carry:	Delaware, Minnesota, North Carolina
Yes, With Restrictions:	Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania
No, Carry Not Allowed	Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, Washington, Hawaii, District of Columbia, Rhode Island, California, New York City, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Nevada

Missouri gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Missouri Concealed Carry Reciprocity Details

Key Missouri Gun Laws

Important Concealed Carry Information

Missouri Concealed Carry License Information

How to get a Missouri Concealed Weapons Permit

Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

Missouri Self-Defense Laws