Andrew County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer Andrew County, MO}. Weapon and gun laws are aggressively enforced throughout the Andrew County, MO area, and prosecutors often pursue these cases with the assumption that a weapon automatically equals danger or criminal intent. That assumption is wrong—and it’s exactly where an experienced Andrew County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer can make the difference.
At Combs Waterkotte, we defend individuals accused of weapons and firearms offenses in Andrew County and across Missouri. Whether the charge involves unlawful possession, allegations tied to another crime, carrying a concealed weapon, or a felony weapons offense, we move quickly to protect your rights, challenge the evidence, and fight to keep a conviction off your record.
If you’re facing a weapons charge in Andrew County, MO, time matters. Speak with a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. With more than 60 years of combined experience and over 10,000 cases handled, we know how to fight—and win—serious weapons cases.
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Weapon Charges in Andrew County, MO Can Escalate Fast
Weapons charges are rarely “stand-alone” cases. In the Andrew County, MO area, prosecutors often stack gun charges onto other allegations—drug offenses, assaults, domestic disputes, traffic stops, or even simple investigations. What starts as a routine police encounter can quickly escalate into a felony charge with long-term consequences. This is not the time to rely on assumptions about gun rights or hope the situation resolves itself. It is the time to speak with a skilled Andrew County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte.
Potential consequences include:
- Incarceration in jail or state prison
- Permanent revocation of firearm privileges
- Felony-level convictions
- Increased penalties in future criminal matters
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Serious harm to employment and professional licensing
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Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
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Firearm & Weapon Offenses We Defend Across the Andrew County, MO Area
Combs Waterkotte defends clients throughout the Andrew County, MO area against the full range of Missouri and federal firearm allegations, including:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW)
As defined by RSMo. § 571.030, these cases can include alleged concealed carry violations, brandishing or threatening conduct, firing a weapon inside Andrew County limits or from a vehicle, or possessing a firearm while under the influence.
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
RSMo. § 571.070: Charges based on alleged prohibited status, including prior felony convictions or active orders of protection in the Andrew County, MO area.
Armed Criminal Action (ACA)
RSMo. § 571.015: Firearm allegations tied to the commission or attempted commission of another felony.
Unlawful Firearm Transfer & Weapons Trafficking
Under RSMo. § 571.060, these allegations involve selling, lending, gifting, or otherwise transferring a firearm in violation of Missouri or federal law, including transfers involving individuals legally prohibited from possession.
Ghost Guns & Altered Firearm Identification
RSMo. § 571.050: Possession or transfer of unserialized firearms or weapons with altered or removed serial numbers.
School Zones & Restricted Locations
Firearm possession allegations involving school grounds or posted prohibited properties in the Andrew County, MO area.
Municipal Weapons Ordinances
Charges arising under city or county weapons ordinances throughout Andrew County, MO and surrounding municipalities.
Sentencing Enhancements & Repeat-Offender Allegations
Firearm-related enhancements, including persistent or dangerous offender designations tied to drug or violent felony cases.
Federal Gun Charges in the Andrew County, MO Area
Firearm cases in Andrew County, MO don’t always stay in state court. When agencies like the ATF or FBI become involved, prosecutions are often moved to the Eastern District of Missouri, where federal sentencing rules apply and prison exposure increases dramatically. Prosecutors commonly rely on statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) for alleged prohibited possession and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which can impose mandatory minimum sentences tied to alleged drug or violent offenses.
These cases demand immediate, calculated action. Federal firearm prosecutions often run alongside state charges, creating complex jurisdictional and sentencing issues. Our Andrew County, MO weapon crimes defense team has extensive experience litigating federal gun cases, attacking unconstitutional searches, contesting custodial statements, and shaping defense strategy under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines from day one.
Why Combs Waterkotte is the Right Choice for Weapon Charge Defense in Andrew County, MO
Gun and weapon offenses are treated aggressively in Andrew County, MO-area courts. Prosecutors often assume intent, danger, or guilt the moment a firearm is involved. That assumption can lead to harsh charging decisions and extreme sentencing exposure. Combs Waterkotte exists to push back against that mindset—with precision, preparation, and proven defense strategy.
A Defense Built Around You
No two weapon cases are alike—and we don’t treat them that way. Our defense team takes a hands-on approach from the first consultation, identifying what’s truly at stake for you and tailoring a strategy around your priorities. You’ll have direct access to your attorneys, clear communication, and honest guidance throughout the process.
Relentless Trial Preparation
Leverage in weapons cases comes from preparation. Prosecutors know which firms are ready to fight—and which will fold. We approach every firearm case as if it’s headed to trial, aggressively challenging illegal stops, unconstitutional searches, flawed seizures, and overstated enhancements. If the state’s evidence doesn’t hold up, we expose it. And when trial is the right move, we’re ready.
Deep Resources That Strengthen Your Defense
Weapon cases often turn on complex legal and technical issues, from ballistics to police procedure. Combs Waterkotte brings the resources necessary to meet those challenges head-on, including investigators, expert consultants, and advanced evidence analysis. We don’t rely on surface-level arguments—we build defenses designed to withstand scrutiny in court.
Proven Experience in Missouri & Federal Courts
Our defense team brings decades of experience handling weapon and firearm cases across Andrew County, MO, surrounding courts, and federal jurisdictions. We understand how prosecutors build these cases, how judges evaluate firearm allegations, and how federal gun laws can reshape sentencing exposure. That perspective gives our clients a decisive advantage from the very beginning.
Immediate, Strategic Action
Weapons cases move fast—and waiting is not an option. We step in immediately to preserve critical evidence, test the legality of the stop or search, and challenge the state’s theory before it solidifies. By applying pressure early through focused motion practice, we often shift the balance of the case in our clients’ favor.
Clear Guidance and Tireless Representation
We believe trust is built through honesty. You’ll receive clear assessments of your risks, realistic expectations, and a defense strategy designed to protect your rights and future. Whether the right path is dismissal, reduction, or trial, Combs Waterkotte is prepared to fight relentlessly on your behalf.
Arrested with a firearm in the Andrew County, MO area? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer in the Andrew County, MO area, you’re not simply partnering with a top-rated weapon crime defense lawyer in Andrew County and throughout Missouri – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to a knowledgeable weapon crime defense attorney, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Andrew County and beyond:
How Weapon Charges Escalate to Felonies in Andrew County, MO
Felony weapons convictions can carry years in prison and permanently strip you of your firearm rights. Early legal intervention is critical. Weapon crimes in Andrew County, MO can quickly escalate to felony charges, especially when prosecutors allege:
- A qualifying prior criminal record
- A firearm was connected to another alleged offense
- Status as a prohibited person under Missouri or federal law
- Altered or prohibited weapons
- Incidents involving schools, minors, or posted locations
Defense Strategies We Use in Andrew County, MO Weapons Cases
Many Missouri gun cases are driven by presumption rather than proof. At Combs Waterkotte, our Andrew County, MO weapons defense attorneys challenge those assumptions head-on, developing defenses grounded in evidence, procedure, and constitutional law:
- Failure to Prove Knowing Possession
The state must prove you knowingly possessed or used a firearm illegally. If the weapon did not belong to you, was hidden from view, or you lacked awareness or control, we challenge the prosecution’s ability to meet its burden. - Justified Use of Force
Missouri recognizes the lawful use of force, including deadly force, in self-defense when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent harm or death. When applicable, we assert self-defense and stand-your-ground protections to challenge unlawful use of weapon allegations. - Illegal Stops, Searches, or Seizures
Many gun charges arise from illegal stops or searches in Andrew County, MO. If officers violated your constitutional rights by searching your vehicle, person, or property without proper legal justification, we move to have the firearm—and the entire case—thrown out.
Andrew County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Andrew County and Missouri.
Former Prosecutor Insight. Defense-First Strategy in the Andrew County, MO Area.
At Combs Waterkotte, our Andrew County, MO weapon crime defense strategy is shaped by firsthand prosecutorial experience. We know how charging decisions are made, which firearm allegations prosecutors prioritize, and where their cases tend to break under scrutiny.
That perspective enables us to:
- Identify leverage early
- Push back against stacked charges
- Apply pressure during negotiations
- Negotiate from strength—not fear
- Proceed confidently to trial when it serves your interests
When prosecutors recognize that the defense is prepared to litigate aggressively, the entire posture of the case changes.
If You’re Under Investigation for a Weapon Charge in Andrew County, MO
If you’re facing a firearm-related accusation in Andrew County, MO:
- 1. Do not answer questions without counsel
- 2. Do not give consent to any search
- 3. Do not rely on assumptions about “legal” possession
- 4. Contact a skilled Andrew County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer right away
A prepared defense changes how prosecutors evaluate risk—and how far they’re willing to push a case.
Speak With a Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer in Andrew County, MO Right Away
A weapon charge does not define you. But, how you respond to it can define your future. The consequences are too serious to wait or guess.
If you’re facing a firearm or weapons allegation in Andrew County, MO, call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with a seasoned Andrew County, MO weapon crime defense attorney. The sooner your defense begins, the more control you keep over your future.
