Open Carry in Missouri

State law does not require a permit to carry openly, but cities and counties may pass ordinances regulating 'the open carrying of firearms readily capable of lethal use.' Even where such an ordinance exists, a person with a valid Missouri concealed carry permit or endorsement (or a permit from another state recognized by Missouri) may open carry, must have the permit with them, and must show it to an officer on demand. Permit holders may also 'briefly and openly display' a lawfully concealed firearm unless done in an angry or threatening manner.

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.

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.