Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Greenwood, MO. MO is known as a pro-second amendment state – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.
Several weapons charges are felonies, and a conviction could put you behind bars for years. If you don’t have a leading Greenwood weapon crimes defense attorney, you could permanently throw your life off course for just forgetting to check your pockets.
Save your rights. Preserve your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert criminal defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has a track record of positive outcomes for our clients. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.
Get in contact today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free, confidential consultation.
How Do Weapon Laws Work in Greenwood, MO?
MO law defines what you can and can’t do with firearms and other deadly weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. Here’s an interesting example: MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federal law requires licensed dealers to conduct one, meaning that you’ll still likely need to go through a background check when you purchase a firearm in MO.
In MO, the majority of individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, so long as:
- They do not bring it into schools, government offices, places of worship, or other restricted areas; and
- They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.
MO allows its citizens the use of guns to shoot targets and for self-defense, but several other actions are not legal. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or using one while committing another crime.
One key thing to be aware of – although we focused on state laws above, MO allows for individual localities to make their own more stringent laws related to weapons, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Greenwood laws, be sure to go through your local laws and ask a gun crime lawyer if there’s any part you’re having trouble understanding.
Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Greenwood, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. Here are criminal allegations that Combs Waterkotte specializes in defending:
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Transport, and Repair of Certain Weapons
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit
- Possession of an Illegal Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated
- Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
- Federal Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Federal Weapons/Firearm Offenses
- Other Gun Charges
- Other Weapons Offenses
Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO
Greenwood, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense tools, namely pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without any permits.
Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are labelled as dangerous weapons. With this classification, even though they are not guns, they often face the same restrictions, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.
However, as mentioned above related to guns, different localities can set their own restrictions, so don’t be afraid to ask a Greenwood weapons law expert if the law isn’t clear on a given self-defense tool.
MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:
If you’re up against allegations for weapons crimes in MO, you need to call an attorney right away. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney before it’s too late:
| Alleged Crime | Violation | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Defacing a Firearm | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine |
| Unlawful Transfer of Weapons | Up to a Class E Felony | Up to 4 years in prison |
| Fraudulent Firearm Purchase | Class E Felony | Up to 4 years in prison |
| Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm | Up to a Class D Felony | Up to 7 years in prison |
| Unlawful Possession of a Firearm | Up to a Class B Felony | 10-20 years in prison |
| Unlawful Use of a Weapon | Up to a Class A Felony | Up to 10-30 years or life imprisonment |
| Armed Criminal Action | Unclassified Felony | Adds at least 3 years onto a prison sentence, which cannot be avoided with probation or parole |
When you look at the potential fallout of a conviction, why would you not hire a Greenwood weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Greenwood, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
When you’re deciding on a Greenwood, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need someone who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and will keep going until you get the justice you deserve.
Here are some of the main things to look for when choosing a lawyer to represent you:
- Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Combs Waterkotte has substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
- Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a stellar reputation amongst former clients, fellow attorneys, and professional organizations.
- Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of elite individuals on your side.
- Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, we treat your case as if it were our own, and we keep you informed on any updates with your case.
- Fearless Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our lawyers always build our cases as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.
Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Greenwood, MO
Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. However, there are some trends; for example, defendants often claim self-defense, and defensive strategies can focus less on if you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”
In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense tactics our team might use in your case against Greenwood, MO, weapon crimes allegations:
- Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you are allowed to take actions to defend yourself against imminent danger.
- Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, you can protect another via the use of force, even a weapon. Some weapon charges can be related to this in the same way that they can be related to self-defense.
- Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine dictates that you are permitted to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and those who are in your dwelling. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the degree of force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
- Stand Your Ground: An extension of the castle doctrine, the stand your ground law in Missouri determines that you if you are permitted to be in a given location, you have the right to defend yourself (even with weapons and force) without needing to retreat first.
- Necessity: The defense of necessity acknowledges that you committed the illegal act, but provides an excuse as to why you shouldn’t be punished. Perhaps you knew someone at risk of self harm, and to protect them, gave their weapons to someone who legally wasn’t allowed to possess them. This is technically against the law, but your actions were well-intended to prevent a greater harm.
- Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because someone forced you to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. For example, if someone threatened your family and made you carry a weapon into a government building, you could claim duress as a defense.
- Lack of Intent: Depending on the exact charge, you might be able to claim that your violation was unintentional. For example, giving a blackjack to an underaged person without permission is illegal. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.
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Greenwood, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Common self-defense items that you are permitted to use in Missouri include firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons. Some of these still face restrictions in their use, though.
Regardless of the weapon you use, though, keep in mind that when acting in self-defense, the response must use a level of force proportionate to the threat.
What is the penalty for armed criminal action in Missouri?
Armed criminal action is not a standalone criminal charge, but an add-on to another felony. Punishments for this crime are always on top of the penalties for the other felony, and depends on whether the person already has armed criminal action on their record or not:
First offense: Adds 3-15 years (or 5-15 years if the gun was illegally possessed)
Second offense: Adds 5-30 years (or 15+ years if the gun was illegally possessed)
Third+ offense: Addes 10+ years (or 15+ years if the gun was illegally possessed)
On top of that, any penalties added because of armed criminal action are not eligible for parole or probation.
What is the Castle Doctrine in Missouri?
Missouri castle doctrine is dictated by §563.031, RSMo 2016, which permits the use of force to defend one’s dwelling, residence, or vehicle from aggressors, without first trying to retreat.
However, this does not mean you can shoot someone just for trespassing on your property. The use of deadly force is only allowed when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Greenwood, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law allows one to use force to defend against a threat, provided that the defensive force is proportional to the threatening force.
Self-defense is legal if it is used to defend oneself (or others) from attack, when one is unable or not required to retreat, or to protect one’s home/vehicle.
As a stand your ground state, in Missouri, citizens don’t have to to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they were not trespassing themselves.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Greenwood?
Common defense strategies against allegations of weapon crimes consist of self-defense, the defense of others, castle doctrine, and stand your ground.
How can you lose your right to own a gun in Greenwood?
Greenwood, MO residents can lose their right to bear arms for a few reasons:
- If they receive a felony conviction
- If they are a fugitive
- If they are regularly drunk or drugged
- If they are deemed mentally incompetent
- If, in accordance with federal laws, they were convicted of domestic violence, even if it was a misdemeanor.
Can police search your car for weapons without a warrant?
You typically have a right to privacy in your vehicle, however, police can still search your car for weapons if they have probable cause, if you agree to the search, if you’ve been arrested and they are securing the area, or if your car is impounded.
Looking For a Weapon Crimes Defense Attorney in Greenwood, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now
Weapon crime charges in Greenwood are not going to go away on their own. If the state is charging you with them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to defend you. You need Combs Waterkotte.
With Combs Waterkotte, you’re getting a team that is dedicated to fighting for your rights. Our team is all about getting you good results, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the resources and track record of success that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.
Speak with a representative right away at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
