Missouri is a permitless carry state — but that does not mean all gun laws have been repealed. Carrying while intoxicated, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, bringing a weapon into a prohibited location, or being caught with an illegally modified firearm are all still serious crimes under state and federal law. A firearms conviction can cost you your gun rights permanently, your freedom, and your livelihood. If you are facing a gun charge in Columbia or anywhere across central Missouri, contact Bur Oak Legal for a free, confidential consultation.
(573) 499-0200 — call anytimeMissouri's permitless carry law allows most adults 19 and older who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry concealed without a permit. It is a significant expansion of gun rights — but it is frequently misunderstood. Permitless carry does not mean carry anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances.
Still illegal even under permitless carry: carrying while intoxicated, carrying in prohibited locations (schools, polling places, courthouses, government buildings, churches without permission, sports arenas, and bars or restaurants that post notice), carrying if you are a convicted felon or under a domestic violence protective order, and possessing firearms prohibited under state or federal law regardless of who is carrying them.
Many gun charges in Missouri arise from people who legally own firearms but run into one of these remaining restrictions — often without realizing it. The permitless carry law also does not change any federal firearms prohibition. A person federally prohibited from possessing a firearm remains prohibited even if Missouri law would otherwise allow carry.
Gun charges in Missouri range from misdemeanors to serious federal felonies carrying mandatory minimum prison sentences. The specific charge — and the severity of the penalties — depends on the conduct, the location, the defendant's criminal history, and whether federal prosecutors choose to bring charges alongside or instead of state charges.
A firearms conviction carries consequences that extend well beyond the sentence itself. For hunters, farmers, and gun owners across central Missouri, the loss of gun rights is often the most devastating collateral consequence — and it is permanent under federal law for felony convictions.
Any felony conviction — firearms-related or not — permanently disqualifies a person from possessing firearms or ammunition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Even a felony conviction for a non-violent offense means no hunting, no home defense, and no firearms of any kind for the rest of the person's life. Some misdemeanor domestic violence convictions carry the same permanent federal prohibition. Avoiding a felony conviction is often the central goal of firearms defense work.
A felony firearms conviction creates barriers to employment in law enforcement, the military, security work, and many licensed professions. It can affect eligibility for federal housing, professional licenses, and public employment. In rural central Missouri, where firearms are part of daily life for many families, the practical consequences of losing gun rights reach further than in many other places.
Firearms cases are among the most common subjects of federal prosecution in Missouri. Federal gun charges often arise alongside drug charges, and federal prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively — federal sentencing guidelines for firearms offenses are strict and leave less room for negotiation than state court. If you are under federal investigation for a firearms offense, retaining an attorney before charges are filed is particularly important.
Unlike most criminal charges, certain federal firearms offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that judges cannot reduce regardless of circumstances. A § 924(c) conviction — using a firearm during a drug crime — adds a consecutive mandatory minimum on top of whatever sentence you receive for the underlying offense. Understanding the mandatory minimum exposure before any plea decision is essential.
Do not assume a prior felony was expunged away. Missouri's expungement statute does not restore federal firearms rights. A Missouri expungement removes the conviction from state records — but federal law still treats the underlying felony as a disqualifying conviction. A person who believes their prior felony was expunged and is legally clear to possess a firearm may still be federally prohibited. If you have questions about whether a prior conviction affects your gun rights, an attorney can evaluate the specific conviction and applicable law.
The defense strategy in a firearms case depends on the specific charge, the facts of the stop or arrest, the defendant's criminal history, and whether the case is in state or federal court. These are the most important areas of focus.
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement stopped a vehicle, searched a person or their property, or seized a firearm without a valid warrant, consent, or recognized exception, the evidence may be suppressible. A firearm found during an unlawful stop cannot be used as evidence — and without the firearm, the charge typically cannot survive. Suppression motions are one of the most powerful tools in firearms defense.
In cases involving a vehicle or shared space, prosecutors must prove the defendant actually possessed or had constructive control over the firearm. If multiple people had access to a vehicle where a gun was found, or if the defendant had no knowledge of the weapon's presence, that creates a genuine dispute about possession. Prosecutors who charge everyone in the vehicle rely on a jury accepting their theory — a defense attorney challenges that theory directly.
For felon-in-possession charges, the prior conviction must be legally sufficient to trigger the prohibition. Some prior convictions — particularly older ones, out-of-state convictions, or convictions where the defendant was not represented by counsel — may not qualify as predicate offenses under state or federal law. Carefully reviewing the prior conviction record before any plea is entered can change the charging picture entirely.
When both state and federal charges are possible, the choice of forum matters enormously. Federal sentencing guidelines for firearms offenses are significantly harsher than Missouri state court outcomes for similar conduct. In some cases, an attorney can work with the state prosecutor and U.S. Attorney's Office to resolve the matter in state court — avoiding the mandatory minimums and guidelines that accompany federal prosecution. This negotiation is most effective when an attorney is involved early, before the charging decision is made.
Chris Miller has practiced criminal defense in central Missouri since 2012, representing clients in Boone County, Cole County, Callaway County, and courts across the region. Before entering private practice, Chris worked as a government attorney — experience that gives him a practical understanding of how prosecutors build cases and where the real leverage points are in a defense.
Chris personally handles every case at Bur Oak Legal. No handoffs to associates or paralegals — the attorney you consult is the attorney who prepares your defense, evaluates the suppression issues, and appears at your hearing. Firearms cases move quickly and the decisions made early — about what to say, what not to say, and how to respond to the charges — affect the outcome.
If you are facing a gun charge in Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, Moberly, Rolla, or anywhere across central Missouri, contact Bur Oak Legal for a free consultation.
Request a free consultation →No. Under Missouri law (§ 571.070 RSMo) and federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)), a person convicted of a felony is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. In Missouri, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a Class C felony carrying up to 10 years in prison. Federal felon-in-possession charges under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) carry up to 15 years in federal prison — and under the Armed Career Criminal Act, prior convictions can trigger a mandatory minimum of 15 years. Missouri's permitless carry law does not change federal prohibitions or the state prohibition on felon possession.
Yes. Since 2017, Missouri allows most adults 19 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. However, permitless carry does not override all restrictions. It is still illegal to carry in prohibited locations, to carry while intoxicated, or to carry if you are a convicted felon, under indictment for a felony, subject to a domestic violence protective order, or otherwise prohibited by state or federal law. Many gun charges in Missouri arise when someone who legally owns a gun carries it in a way or location they did not realize was still prohibited.
Missouri's unlawful use of weapons statute (§ 571.030 RSMo) covers a broad range of conduct: carrying a firearm while intoxicated, discharging a firearm into or at a vehicle or building, exhibiting a weapon in an angry or threatening manner, carrying a firearm into a prohibited location such as a school or polling place, and possessing certain restricted weapons. Depending on the specific subsection, unlawful use of weapons can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor up to a Class D felony. The statute is broad and frequently charged in situations where the facts are more ambiguous than the charge suggests.
Federal firearms charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office and carry significantly higher penalties than most state charges. Common federal gun charges in Missouri include: felon in possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g), up to 15 years); use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime or violent crime (18 U.S.C. § 924(c), mandatory minimums of 5–10 years consecutive to any other sentence); possession of an unregistered or illegally modified firearm under the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. § 5861, up to 10 years); and firearms trafficking (18 U.S.C. § 922(a)). Federal gun charges are often added on top of drug charges and are prosecuted aggressively.
Yes, in many cases. Whether a gun charge can be dismissed depends on the specific facts, the strength of the evidence, and the circumstances of the stop or arrest. If law enforcement stopped the defendant without reasonable suspicion or searched without a warrant or valid exception, the firearm may be suppressed as evidence — often resulting in dismissal. If the person was not legally prohibited from possessing the firearm and the charge rests on carrying in a prohibited location, negotiation for a reduced charge is possible. Each case is different, and an experienced defense attorney evaluates the stop, the search, and the charging decision before determining the best path forward.
A felony conviction — state or federal — permanently disqualifies a person from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)). Even a felony conviction unrelated to firearms carries this consequence. Some misdemeanor domestic violence convictions also trigger a permanent federal firearms prohibition regardless of whether a weapon was involved. Missouri's expungement statute does not restore federal firearms rights — an expungement removes the conviction from state records, but federal law still recognizes the underlying conviction as a disqualifying offense. Avoiding a felony conviction is often the primary goal in firearms defense work.
Gun charges frequently arise alongside drug charges, DWI, and other criminal offenses. Bur Oak Legal handles the full range of criminal defense work across central Missouri.
Free consultation with Attorney Chris Miller — licensed in Missouri since 2012. Chris personally handles every case from start to finish. Serving Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, and all of central Missouri.