All Laws Decoded

Concealed Carry in Missouri

Whether you need a permit to carry concealed in Missouri, how to get one, which states' permits Missouri honors, and where carrying is banned.

Short answer: Yes. Missouri's unlawful-use-of-weapons law makes it a crime to carry a concealed firearm only 'into any area where firearms are restricted under section 571.107' (the list of off-limits places), so concealed carry elsewhere does not require a permit. RSMo §§ 571.030.1(1), (8), (10), 571.030.3, 571.030.4

Permitless (constitutional) carryYes. Missouri's unlawful-use-of-weapons law makes it a crime to carry a concealed firearm only 'into any area where firearms are restricted under section 571.107' (the list of off-limits places), so concealed carry elsewhere does not require a permit. Permit holders (Missouri or another state's) are exempt from that restriction, from the ban on carrying into churches, polling places and government buildings in § 571.030.1(8), and from the school ban in § 571.030.1(10). The carry statute does not set a separate minimum age; the vehicle exception in § 571.030.3 is limited to people 19 or older (18 if a member or honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces).
People barred from possessing firearms under § 571.070 may not carry.
Concealed carry permitConcealed carry permit, issued by the sheriff of the applicant's county or city of residence; 'the county or city sheriff shall issue' when the applicant qualifies (shall-issue). Age: at least 19, or at least 18 and a member of or honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces. Training: a firearms safety course 'of at least eight hours in length' with a live-fire test of twenty rounds at seven yards (or listed alternatives such as law enforcement training). Fee: 'a nonrefundable fee not to exceed one hundred dollars' for a new permit and 'not to exceed fifty dollars' for a renewal. Valid 'until five years from the last day of the month in which the permit was issued or renewed.'
Other states' permits (reciprocity)Missouri honors all other states' permits: 'a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize the person in whose name the permit or endorsement is issued to carry concealed firearms on or about his or her person or vehicle throughout the state.'
Where guns are bannedFor everyone, it is a crime to carry a firearm into any church or place of worship, into an election precinct on election day, into a building owned or occupied by a federal, state or local government agency, or into any school, school bus or school-sponsored event (§ 571.030.1(8), (10)), though permit holders are exempt from these subdivisions. Permits do not authorize concealed carry into: police, sheriff or highway patrol stations (without consent); within 25 feet of a polling place on election day; jails and prisons; courthouses and court offices; meetings of local governing bodies or the General Assembly; government buildings posted by rule or ordinance; the bar area of places licensed to serve liquor (without the owner's consent; restaurants seating 50+ with 51% food sales excepted); secured areas of airports; places barred by federal law; colleges and K-12 schools (without consent); child care facilities; riverboat casinos; gated amusement parks; churches (without consent); private property posted with signs at least 11 by 14 inches; sports arenas or stadiums seating 5,000 or more; and public hospitals. For permit holders, carrying in these § 571.107 places is not a crime but can lead to removal and a citation of up to $100 for a first offense.
The revisor page for § 571.107 shows the version effective Aug. 28, 2014, with multiple histories; check for later amendments.
Guns in your carThe ban on concealed carry into restricted areas 'does not apply to any person nineteen years of age or older or eighteen years of age or older and a member of the United States Armed Forces, or honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, transporting a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so long as such concealable firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed.' It also does not apply when the gun is unloaded with ammunition not readily accessible, or not readily accessible, or when traveling 'in a continuous journey peaceably through this state.' For many listed restricted places (police stations, polling places, courthouses, schools, bars, hospitals and others), keeping the gun in the vehicle on the premises is not a crime so long as it is not removed or brandished.

More Missouri gun laws

FAQ

Is Missouri a constitutional carry state?
Yes. Missouri's unlawful-use-of-weapons law makes it a crime to carry a concealed firearm only 'into any area where firearms are restricted under section 571.107' (the list of off-limits places), so concealed carry elsewhere does not require a permit. Permit holders (Missouri or another state's) are exempt from that restriction, from the ban on carrying into churches, polling places and government buildings in § 571.030.1(8), and from the school ban in § 571.030.1(10). The carry statute does not set a separate minimum age; the vehicle exception in § 571.030.3 is limited to people 19 or older (18 if a member or honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces).
How do you get a concealed carry permit in Missouri?
Concealed carry permit, issued by the sheriff of the applicant's county or city of residence; 'the county or city sheriff shall issue' when the applicant qualifies (shall-issue). Age: at least 19, or at least 18 and a member of or honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces. Training: a firearms safety course 'of at least eight hours in length' with a live-fire test of twenty rounds at seven yards (or listed alternatives such as law enforcement training). Fee: 'a nonrefundable fee not to exceed one hundred dollars' for a new permit and 'not to exceed fifty dollars' for a renewal. Valid 'until five years from the last day of the month in which the permit was issued or renewed.'
Which states' carry permits does Missouri honor?
Missouri honors all other states' permits: 'a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize the person in whose name the permit or endorsement is issued to carry concealed firearms on or about his or her person or vehicle throughout the state.'
Where can't you carry a gun in Missouri?
For everyone, it is a crime to carry a firearm into any church or place of worship, into an election precinct on election day, into a building owned or occupied by a federal, state or local government agency, or into any school, school bus or school-sponsored event (§ 571.030.1(8), (10)), though permit holders are exempt from these subdivisions. Permits do not authorize concealed carry into: police, sheriff or highway patrol stations (without consent); within 25 feet of a polling place on election day; jails and prisons; courthouses and court offices; meetings of local governing bodies or the General Assembly; government buildings posted by rule or ordinance; the bar area of places licensed to serve liquor (without the owner's consent; restaurants seating 50+ with 51% food sales excepted); secured areas of airports; places barred by federal law; colleges and K-12 schools (without consent); child care facilities; riverboat casinos; gated amusement parks; churches (without consent); private property posted with signs at least 11 by 14 inches; sports arenas or stadiums seating 5,000 or more; and public hospitals. For permit holders, carrying in these § 571.107 places is not a crime but can lead to removal and a citation of up to $100 for a first offense.
Can you keep a gun in your car in Missouri without a permit?
The ban on concealed carry into restricted areas 'does not apply to any person nineteen years of age or older or eighteen years of age or older and a member of the United States Armed Forces, or honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, transporting a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so long as such concealable firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed.' It also does not apply when the gun is unloaded with ammunition not readily accessible, or not readily accessible, or when traveling 'in a continuous journey peaceably through this state.' For many listed restricted places (police stations, polling places, courthouses, schools, bars, hospitals and others), keeping the gun in the vehicle on the premises is not a crime so long as it is not removed or brandished.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.