Missouri carry laws

[TexAg12]

I will be relocating to St. Louis, MO this summer for about six months for a new job. I've tried finding their laws for concealed carry and any restrictions that may be different between their CCW permit and the Texas CHL. Where could I look to find this? I want to make sure I'm well informed before I move there.

[Keith B]

http://www.hangunlaw.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Click on Missouri.

Missouri overall is very gun friendly. However, St. Louis is like most big cities and will be not as friendly depending on where you live.

As to concealed carry the laws are similar to ours, EXCEPT they basically say if you are caught in a prohibited place you just must leave. Entering a prohibited place with CHL and a gun is not a crime unless you refuse to leave, then they have fines for the 1st and 2nd times. Third time you are convicted of refusing to leave they will pull your CHL (for being stupid I think. LOL)

Missouri is also an open carry state. However, they allow pre-emption by counties and cities and those localities can prohibit open carry by ordinance, so you have to know exactly where you are and if open carry is allowed or not. If you are in unincorporated areas (the country) then you can open carry legally.

Let me know what area you will be working in and living. I moved to Texas from St. Louis and can tell you areas to avoid and areas you might like.

[TexAg12]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! I will be working in Maryland Heights and living within a few miles of the office.

I wasn't aware that MO is an open carry state. Is there a way I can find out what areas permit it? Also, if I am in an area that allows open carry, would I be allowed to open carry? Or would it still have to be concealed since I have the Texas CHL?

Thanks for the help!

[Keith B]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! I will be working in Maryland Heights and living within a few miles of the office.

I wasn't aware that MO is an open carry state. Is there a way I can find out what areas permit it? Also, if I am in an area that allows open carry, would I be allowed to open carry? Or would it still have to be concealed since I have the Texas CHL?

Thanks for the help!

Anyone can open carry if it is not prohibited by ordinance. There is not a real easy way to tell where is and isn't unless you look at the city ordinances. I Personally, I would NOT open carry around St. Louis as there are too many anti's and areas that are not legal. It is just not wise IMO. Here is forum thread that may help. There is a list of St. Louis county cities, but not sure how valid it is http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showt ... 46302405eb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rural areas are a different story and most small cities are OK, but again, you would have to look at the laws for that city to tell. I know Cape Girardeau is about 100 miles south of St. Louis and it is illegal in that city. Lived there for 12 years. My home town is a little smaller than Cape, and open carry is legal, but I don't open carry there even though I was a cop there years ago, my brother-in-law is the former police chief, and the current police chief is a good friend. Too much hassle by those who don't know it is perfectly legal. My opinion is cover it up and no one is the wiser.

[TexAg12]

I will probably just conceal it wherever I go, but I was curious about it.

I'm looking at a new holster that will have a sheath to carry a knife with me. I understand the CCW in MO allows a broader range of knives to carry, but will our CHL fall under that also? I love carrying a knife with me, but I'm having a hard time finding what is legal for an out of state permit.

[Keith B]

I will probably just conceal it wherever I go, but I was curious about it.

I'm looking at a new holster that will have a sheath to carry a knife with me. I understand the CCW in MO allows a broader range of knives to carry, but will our CHL fall under that also? I love carrying a knife with me, but I'm having a hard time finding what is legal for an out of state permit.

Not sure where you heard that, but CCW has nothing to do with a knife in Missouri. Any knife cannot have a blade over 4 inches and be concealed. Also, a switchblade is illegal and is defined as any knife that has a spring loaded blade, opens with centrifugal force, or gravity.

[Frankie]

I can't quote MO f laws but I CAN tell you this... DO NOT CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND INTO IL WITH YOUR FIREARM!!!!!
And go to an afternoon baseball game at Busch Stadium. GO CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TexAg12]

Not sure where you heard that, but CCW has nothing to do with a knife in Missouri. Any knife cannot have a blade over 4 inches and be concealed. Also, a switchblade is illegal and is defined as any knife that has a spring loaded blade, opens with centrifugal force, or gravity.

That's exactly why I don't just go off of what I find on the internet and try to talk with someone. Thanks for clearing that up.

I can't quote MO f laws but I CAN tell you this... DO NOT CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND INTO IL WITH YOUR FIREARM!!!!!
And go to an afternoon baseball game at Busch Stadium. GO CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is at the top of the list of things not to do. I won't be making any visits over to IL.

[denwego]

I will probably just conceal it wherever I go, but I was curious about it.

I'm looking at a new holster that will have a sheath to carry a knife with me. I understand the CCW in MO allows a broader range of knives to carry, but will our CHL fall under that also? I love carrying a knife with me, but I'm having a hard time finding what is legal for an out of state permit.

Not sure where you heard that, but CCW has nothing to do with a knife in Missouri. Any knife cannot have a blade over 4 inches and be concealed. Also, a switchblade is illegal and is defined as any knife that has a spring loaded blade, opens with centrifugal force, or gravity.

Indeedy, it does; it's legal to carry a concealed knife with a permit. Missouri bans carrying concealed weapons without a permit generally, but having a permit/license from any state exempts you from their concealment law for all weapons, not just handguns. (cite - http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5710000030.HTM ). As long as you have your CHL from Texas, when you're in Missouri you can carry a concealed handgun, rifle, bowie knife, machine gun, or ASP baton to your heart's content (as long as you legally own the weapon in the first place; I mention "machine gun" for the sake of hyperbole!) Incidentally, as Keith B says, switchblades and a few other weapons are plain old illegal to own or possess in Missouri, so having a permit doesn't help you there. However, I visit Missouri several times a year, and boy, do I ever love being able to carry a bowie knife from time to time! It irks me so very much that the state bearing the Alamo bans it.

Forgot - like Keith B says, "pocket knives" under 4" aren't considered "weapons" in Missouri and can be carried openly or concealed without a permit. I wouldn't risk a fixed blade without a CHL, short or no, but it doesn't matter if you have any state's permit.

[RottenApple]

We go to MO about twice a year. One trip to Bolivar (family friends) and the other to Campbell (my in-laws). I always carry. The one thing you have to remember is that gun buster signs have force of law *IF* they are at least 11"x14" and any writing on them is at least 1" high. Fortunately, around those 2 towns, those signs are pretty rare.

(15) Any private property whose 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 owner, business or commercial lessee, manager of a private business enterprise, or any other organization, entity, or person may prohibit persons holding a concealed carry endorsement from carrying concealed firearms on the premises and may prohibit employees, not authorized by the employer, holding a concealed carry endorsement from carrying concealed firearms on the property of the employer. If the building or the premises are open to the public, the employer of the business enterprise shall post signs on or about the premises if carrying a concealed firearm is prohibited. 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. An employer may prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed carry endorsement from carrying a concealed firearm in vehicles owned by the employer;

[TexAg12]

Indeedy, it does; it's legal to carry a concealed knife with a permit. Missouri bans carrying concealed weapons without a permit generally, but having a permit/license from any state exempts you from their concealment law for all weapons, not just handguns. (cite - http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5710000030.HTM ). As long as you have your CHL from Texas, when you're in Missouri you can carry a concealed handgun, rifle, bowie knife, machine gun, or ASP baton to your heart's content (as long as you legally own the weapon in the first place; I mention "machine gun" for the sake of hyperbole!) Incidentally, as Keith B says, switchblades and a few other weapons are plain old illegal to own or possess in Missouri, so having a permit doesn't help you there. However, I visit Missouri several times a year, and boy, do I ever love being able to carry a bowie knife from time to time! It irks me so very much that the state bearing the Alamo bans it.

Forgot - like Keith B says, "pocket knives" under 4" aren't considered "weapons" in Missouri and can be carried openly or concealed without a permit. I wouldn't risk a fixed blade without a CHL, short or no, but it doesn't matter if you have any state's permit.

Thank you very much. That's what I was trying to find! That's some good news.

We go to MO about twice a year. One trip to Bolivar (family friends) and the other to Campbell (my in-laws). I always carry. The one thing you have to remember is that gun buster signs have force of law *IF* they are at least 11"x14" and any writing on them is at least 1" high. Fortunately, around those 2 towns, those signs are pretty rare.

I'll keep that in mind. It's these little differences that I want to make sure I'm aware of before I go.

[Keith B]

I will probably just conceal it wherever I go, but I was curious about it.

I'm looking at a new holster that will have a sheath to carry a knife with me. I understand the CCW in MO allows a broader range of knives to carry, but will our CHL fall under that also? I love carrying a knife with me, but I'm having a hard time finding what is legal for an out of state permit.

Not sure where you heard that, but CCW has nothing to do with a knife in Missouri. Any knife cannot have a blade over 4 inches and be concealed. Also, a switchblade is illegal and is defined as any knife that has a spring loaded blade, opens with centrifugal force, or gravity.

Indeedy, it does; it's legal to carry a concealed knife with a permit. Missouri bans carrying concealed weapons without a permit generally, but having a permit/license from any state exempts you from their concealment law for all weapons, not just handguns. (cite - http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5710000030.HTM ). As long as you have your CHL from Texas, when you're in Missouri you can carry a concealed handgun, rifle, bowie knife, machine gun, or ASP baton to your heart's content (as long as you legally own the weapon in the first place; I mention "machine gun" for the sake of hyperbole!) Incidentally, as Keith B says, switchblades and a few other weapons are plain old illegal to own or possess in Missouri, so having a permit doesn't help you there. However, I visit Missouri several times a year, and boy, do I ever love being able to carry a bowie knife from time to time! It irks me so very much that the state bearing the Alamo bans it.

Forgot - like Keith B says, "pocket knives" under 4" aren't considered "weapons" in Missouri and can be carried openly or concealed without a permit. I wouldn't risk a fixed blade without a CHL, short or no, but it doesn't matter if you have any state's permit.

I stand corrected. I had read the statute numerous times as I travel there frequently (my old home state), but never looked at the inclusions of other weapons since the firearm was all I carried that would be covered.