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Last updated April 2026 · By Nick Hall, CCW instructor familiar with Missouri’s constitutional carry framework, the standard/extended/lifetime CCW permit tiers, and the 8th Circuit SAPA ruling
Disclaimer: This is an editorial round-up of Missouri gun laws. We do our best to make sure it’s correct, but do not rely on this as legal advice. If you’re unsure about anything, consult a lawyer.
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Intro
TL;DR: Missouri is a constitutional carry state since January 1, 2017 (SB 656 of 2016). Permitless concealed carry legal at 19+ (unusually low threshold), optional Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) available in Standard (5-year), Extended (10 or 25-year), and Lifetime variants. No magazine limits, no assault weapons ban, no red flag law. Stand Your Ground codified in RSMo § 563.031, strong state preemption. Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) was declared unconstitutional by the 8th Circuit in late 2024.
Missouri is a top-tier pro-gun state with one unusual feature: the constitutional carry age is 19, not 21 or 18 like most other constitutional carry states. SB 656 of 2016 established permitless concealed carry effective January 1, 2017. The optional Concealed Carry Permit system was kept in place and expanded with new tiers: standard 5-year, extended 10-year or 25-year, and lifetime permits. All are shall-issue through the county sheriff.
Missouri also passed the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) in 2021, attempting to nullify federal gun laws that the state considered unconstitutional. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals declared SAPA unconstitutional in late 2024. Federal law remains enforceable in Missouri, and federal prohibited-person rules, NFA approval requirements, and gun-free federal buildings all apply.
If you’re a Missouri resident, moving here, or passing through, this page covers the 2026 rules with statute citations and official sources.
Missouri Gun Laws: The Highlights
TL;DR: Constitutional carry at 19+, multiple optional CCW tiers (Standard 5-yr, Extended 10/25-yr, Lifetime), open carry generally legal, no magazine or AWB restrictions, no red flag law, Stand Your Ground, strong state preemption.
- Constitutional Carry State since January 1, 2017 under SB 656 of 2016. Permitless concealed carry at 19+.
- Shall-issue Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) under RSMo § 571.101. Multiple tiers: Standard (5-year), Extended (10 or 25-year), Lifetime.
- Open carry legal in most of the state without a permit. Local ordinances may regulate open carry in specific circumstances.
- No state magazine capacity limit, no assault weapons ban, no firearm registration.
- Stand Your Ground codified in RSMo § 563.031. No duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be.
- Castle Doctrine with statutory presumption of reasonable belief when defending home, vehicle, or place of business.
- No red flag law. The Missouri legislature has rejected proposed Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation.
- Strong state preemption under RSMo § 21.750. Counties and municipalities cannot enact firearm ordinances stricter than state law.
- Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) declared unconstitutional by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in late 2024.
For the official state CCW resource, see the Missouri Department of Public Safety Concealed Carry page.
Key Information at a Glance
Key Information: Missouri Gun Laws at a Glance (2026)
Fast answers first, with official sources at the bottom.
| Permitless Carry | Yes (Constitutional Carry since Jan 1, 2017) |
|---|---|
| Open Carry | Legal in most of state, 18+ |
| Concealed Carry | Legal without permit, 19+ |
| Optional CCW Permits | Standard (5-year), Extended (10 or 25-year), Lifetime |
| Background Checks | Federal NICS at licensed dealers. No state requirement for private sales. |
| Purchase Permit | Not required |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Firearm Registration | Not required |
| Magazine Capacity Limits | None |
| Assault Weapon Ban | No |
| Red Flag Law | No |
| Stand Your Ground | Yes (RSMo § 563.031) |
| Castle Doctrine | Yes (statutory presumption) |
| State Preemption | Yes (RSMo § 21.750) |
| NFA Items (Suppressors/SBRs) | Legal with federal ATF approval |
Official Missouri Resources
Constitutional Carry: How SB 656 Changed Missouri
TL;DR: Missouri became a constitutional carry state on January 1, 2017 under SB 656 of 2016. Any person 19 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The optional CCW system remains in place with expanded tier options.
SB 656 passed over Governor Nixon’s veto in September 2016, with the legislature overriding on a 2/3 vote. The bill amended RSMo § 571.030 and related statutes to eliminate the requirement for a concealed carry permit.
Missouri’s age-19 threshold is unusual. Most constitutional carry states set the minimum at 18 or 21. SB 656 chose 19, which is higher than Mississippi’s 18 but lower than the federal handgun-purchase age of 21 at FFL dealers. The practical effect: 19-20 year old Missouri residents can carry concealed under constitutional carry but cannot purchase a handgun directly from a dealer under federal law.
Missouri’s Multiple CCW Permit Tiers
TL;DR: SB 656 expanded Missouri’s optional CCW system into three tiers: Standard (5-year, most common), Extended (10-year or 25-year), and Lifetime. All are shall-issue through the county sheriff. Useful for reciprocity and NICS bypass.
Missouri’s CCW system under RSMo § 571.101 is one of the most flexible in the country. Your options:
- Standard CCW (5-year): $100 application fee. Basic shall-issue permit. Valid 5 years, renewable. This is the most common tier.
- Extended CCW (10 or 25-year): Higher upfront fee but lower cost per year over the permit’s lifetime. Same qualifying requirements as Standard CCW.
- Lifetime CCW: $500 application fee. Valid for the lifetime of the permit-holder. Requires the same background check and training as Standard CCW. Represents long-term savings for lifelong Missouri residents.
Requirements for any CCW tier:
- Age 19 or older (18 if military)
- Missouri resident or member of US armed forces stationed in Missouri
- Not federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)
- State-approved 8-hour firearms safety training course including live-fire
- Fingerprints and background check
Even under constitutional carry, getting a Missouri CCW is worth the time investment: it provides reciprocity with 35+ states and exempts you from the federal NICS check at dealers under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3).
Who Can Carry a Gun in Missouri?
TL;DR: 18+ for open carry and long guns, 19+ for permitless concealed carry (18+ if military), 19+ for optional CCW. Must not be federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
Missouri’s age structure has the unusual 19+ minimum for constitutional carry. Active duty military members can carry concealed at 18 under both the constitutional carry provision and CCW application process. Long guns and open carry of handguns are legal at 18+.
Federal prohibited-person rules under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) always apply.
Purchasing a Firearm in Missouri
TL;DR: No state purchase permit, no waiting period, no state background check beyond the federal NICS at licensed dealers. Private sales between Missouri residents are unregulated at the state level.
Here’s the step-by-step for a first-time Missouri buyer:
- Choose a licensed dealer or private seller. Both are legal. For local shops, see our best gun stores in Missouri guide.
- Complete ATF Form 4473. Required at FFL dealers.
- Pass the NICS background check. Federal requirement at dealers. Usually instant.
- Take delivery. No waiting period. Same-day pickup.
- Optional: Apply for CCW. A valid Missouri CCW exempts you from NICS on future purchases under federal 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3) and provides reciprocity.
Private sales between Missouri residents are unregulated at the state level beyond federal prohibited-person rules. No registration or paper trail required.
State Preemption
TL;DR: Strong state preemption under RSMo § 21.750. Counties and municipalities cannot enact firearm ordinances stricter than state law.
Missouri’s preemption statute is robust. St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and other municipalities cannot create their own CCW schemes, magazine limits, or assault weapons bans. Local authorities retain narrow authority over discharge within city limits and carry in specific publicly owned buildings.
The Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) and Federal Law
TL;DR: Missouri passed SAPA in 2021 attempting to nullify federal gun laws. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals declared SAPA unconstitutional in late 2024. Federal law fully applies in Missouri, including NFA rules, federal prohibited-person lists, and gun-free federal buildings.
Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB 85 of 2021) attempted to invalidate enforcement of federal gun laws the state considered unconstitutional. The law prohibited Missouri law enforcement from assisting federal agents in enforcing those laws and imposed penalties on state agencies that cooperated.
The U.S. Department of Justice challenged SAPA in federal court. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in late 2024 that SAPA was unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause. Federal law remains fully enforceable in Missouri. Federal prohibited-person rules, NFA approval requirements, and gun-free federal buildings all apply regardless of state-level statements.
Federal Law Still Sets the Ceiling
TL;DR: Missouri’s permissive laws operate inside federal constraints. Federal prohibited-person rules under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) apply. Federal buildings remain gun-free zones under 18 U.S.C. § 930. NFA items require ATF approval.
Reciprocity: Out-of-State Permits
TL;DR: Missouri honors valid concealed carry permits from every other state under RSMo § 571.205. The Missouri CCW is recognized in approximately 35-37 states.
Missouri is generous on reciprocity. Under RSMo § 571.205, the state recognizes any valid concealed carry permit or license from any other state. Visitors with permits from Texas, Florida, or any other state can carry concealed in Missouri under the same rules as residents.
Non-residents can apply for a Missouri CCW if they maintain certain connections to the state. The Missouri CCW is recognized in 35+ states, including the full range of Lifetime tier options.
States That Recognize the Missouri CCW
| Full Reciprocity (~37) | NOT Recognized In |
| Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming | California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington D.C. |
Reciprocity is subject to change. Verify through the Missouri DPS before traveling.
Where You Can’t Carry
TL;DR: Schools, courthouses, police stations, jails, state Capitol, polling places, bars (consumption primary), and federal buildings. Full list in RSMo § 571.107.
Under Missouri law, concealed carry is prohibited in:
- K-12 schools, school buses, and school functions
- College and university campuses (with institutional variation)
- Courthouses and courtrooms
- Police stations, sheriff’s offices, and jails
- Missouri State Capitol
- Polling places on election days
- Bars and establishments where alcohol consumption is the primary purpose
- Casinos and gambling boats
- Amusement parks
- Airports (secured areas)
- Federal buildings under 18 U.S.C. § 930
- Posted private property where the owner has communicated a no-firearms policy
Carrying while intoxicated is independently prohibited under RSMo § 571.030 and can trigger additional charges.
Missouri Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine
TL;DR: Stand Your Ground codified in RSMo § 563.031. No duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be. Strong Castle Doctrine with statutory presumption of reasonable belief when defending home, vehicle, or place of business.
Missouri’s self-defense statute at RSMo § 563.031 codifies Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine. Key provisions:
- No duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be before using reasonable force in self-defense.
- Statutory presumption of reasonable belief of imminent death or serious physical injury when an intruder unlawfully enters your dwelling, residence, or vehicle.
- Civil and criminal immunity when force is used in accordance with the statute.
Standard self-defense limitations apply: you cannot be the initial aggressor, cannot be engaged in illegal activity, and deadly force requires a reasonable belief of imminent death, serious physical injury, or forcible felony.
Magazine Capacity and Assault Weapons
TL;DR: No state magazine capacity limit. No assault weapons ban. No feature-test restrictions.
Missouri imposes no state-level restrictions on magazine capacity or “assault weapon” features. Standard 30-round AR-15 magazines, 17-round Glock magazines, and drum magazines are all legal for possession and use.
NFA Items: Suppressors, SBRs, and Machine Guns
TL;DR: NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, pre-1986 machine guns) are legal in Missouri with federal ATF approval. No additional state-level restrictions.
Missouri does not add state-level restrictions to federal NFA items. Suppressors are legal for ownership and hunting. SBRs, SBSs, and lawfully registered pre-1986 civilian machine guns are legal with the standard federal ATF Form 4 process and $200 tax stamp.
Red Flag Laws
TL;DR: Missouri has no red flag law. The legislature has rejected proposed Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation.
Missouri has not passed an Extreme Risk Protection Order statute. Law enforcement and family members cannot petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone perceived as a danger outside the existing criminal process and involuntary commitment procedures.
Recent Changes (2024-2026)
TL;DR: The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals declared Missouri’s SAPA unconstitutional in late 2024. Constitutional carry and CCW permit system remain unchanged. No major new firearms legislation in the 2024 or 2025 sessions.
- Late 2024: 8th Circuit ruled Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) unconstitutional. Federal law remains fully enforceable in Missouri.
- Constitutional carry unchanged: The 2017 framework under SB 656 remains in place. No legislative action has modified the 19+ threshold or the CCW tier system.
- Multiple CCW options remain available: Standard, Extended (10 or 25-year), and Lifetime CCW tiers continue to be issued by county sheriffs under the shall-issue standard.
For current legislative tracking, see the Missouri Senate and Missouri House of Representatives.
Our Take
TL;DR: Missouri is one of the most gun-friendly states in the country. Constitutional carry at 19+, unusually flexible CCW tier options including Lifetime, no magazine or AWB restrictions, Stand Your Ground with strong Castle Doctrine presumption, no red flag law. Get a CCW (ideally Lifetime) for reciprocity and NICS bypass.
Missouri strikes a balance that most gun owners find favorable. Permissive constitutional carry framework, optional permits with excellent tier flexibility (Lifetime CCW is a standout option among U.S. states), strong self-defense statute with statutory presumption in home and vehicle defense, and robust state preemption preventing urban municipalities from carving out local restrictions.
Practical takeaways for a Missouri gun owner:
- Consider the Lifetime CCW if you’re a long-term Missouri resident. The $500 upfront cost pays off quickly compared to repeated 5-year renewals.
- Understand the age-19 constitutional carry threshold. 18 year olds need a different path (military status or family-gifted handgun) until they turn 19.
- Know the Stand Your Ground statute. The RSMo § 563.031 presumption in home, vehicle, and business defense is among the strongest in the country.
- Federal law applies despite SAPA. Don’t rely on SAPA provisions — the 8th Circuit struck them down.
Bookmark the Missouri DPS CCW page and RSMo Chapter 571 for current law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri a constitutional carry state?
Yes. Missouri became a constitutional carry state on January 1, 2017 under SB 656 of 2016. Any person 19 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit (18+ if active-duty military). Missouri's age-19 threshold is unusual — higher than most constitutional carry states' 18 but lower than the 21 in others. The optional CCW system remains in place with multiple tier options.
What are Missouri's Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) tiers?
Missouri offers four CCW tiers under RSMo § 571.101: Standard CCW (5-year, $100 fee), Extended CCW (10-year), Extended CCW (25-year), and Lifetime CCW ($500). All tiers are shall-issue through the county sheriff and require an 8-hour state-approved firearms safety course, fingerprints, and background check. The Lifetime CCW is particularly valuable for long-term Missouri residents.
What age do you have to be to carry concealed in Missouri?
19 years old under constitutional carry (18 if you are active-duty military). This is unusually specific — higher than Mississippi's 18 but lower than the 21 in states like Arkansas. The federal handgun-purchase age at an FFL dealer is still 21 under 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1), so 19-20 year olds typically need to obtain their handgun through a private transfer or family gift.
Is open carry legal in Missouri?
Yes, generally. Open carry of handguns is legal statewide for adults 18 or older who can lawfully possess a firearm. No permit is required. Some local ordinances may regulate open carry in specific public places, but state preemption under RSMo § 21.750 limits the scope of local regulation. The usual prohibited-places rules under RSMo § 571.107 still apply.
Does Missouri have a magazine capacity limit?
No. Missouri has no state-level magazine capacity limit. Standard 30-round AR-15 magazines, 17-round Glock magazines, and drum magazines are all legal for possession and use. The state has also never passed an assault weapons ban or feature-based restrictions on semi-automatic firearms.
Does Missouri have Stand Your Ground?
Yes. Stand Your Ground is codified in RSMo § 563.031. You have no duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be before using reasonable force in self-defense. Missouri also has a strong Castle Doctrine with a statutory presumption of reasonable belief of imminent death or serious physical injury when defending against an unlawful intruder in your dwelling, residence, or vehicle, providing immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability.
What is Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA)?
Missouri passed SAPA (HB 85 of 2021) attempting to nullify federal gun laws considered unconstitutional. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled SAPA unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause in late 2024. Federal law — including NFA rules, federal prohibited-person rules under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and gun-free federal buildings — remains fully enforceable in Missouri. Don't rely on SAPA provisions in your planning.
Does Missouri have a red flag law?
No. Missouri does not have an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) or red flag law. The legislature has rejected proposed red flag legislation. Firearms can only be removed through criminal conviction, a domestic-violence protective order, involuntary mental health commitment, or voluntary surrender.
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