Freeman, MO gun charges attorney you can trust. Arrested for a firearm offense in Freeman, MO? You need immediate help from a defense firm that knows Missouri’s gun laws and the strategies prosecutors use in and around Freeman. Combs Waterkotte represents clients in all types of state and federal firearm cases, including unlawful weapon use, possession by a prohibited person, and armed criminal action. We move quickly to challenge the evidence, protect your record, and fight for your freedom.
If you’re facing charges, no matter how serious, call us immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an expert gun charges attorney in Freeman, MO. Our defense team has over 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled more than 10,000 cases just like yours in Freeman and across Missouri.
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Article Overview
This article details how Combs Waterkotte defends clients facing firearm charges throughout Freeman, MO and across Missouri. It explores the most common gun offenses—including unlawful weapon use, prohibited possession, and armed criminal action—and explains where state law limits the right to carry. The content highlights the firm’s focus on challenging unconstitutional searches, analyzing the prosecution’s evidence, and defending Second Amendment rights. With decades of courtroom experience and a history of achieving dismissals and reduced charges, Combs Waterkotte stands out as a trusted advocate for those accused of serious gun crimes in state or federal court.
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Types of Gun Charges We Defend in Freeman, MO
The attorneys at Combs Waterkotte represent clients facing every kind of state and federal firearm charge in Missouri. We have extensive experience defending cases such as:
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW) — Carrying concealed where prohibited; exhibiting a weapon in an angry or threatening manner; discharging from a vehicle or within city limits; possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm — Including possession by a prohibited person (e.g., prior felony conviction, certain orders of protection).
- Armed Criminal Action (ACA) — Using or possessing a firearm during the commission of another felony.
- Unlawful Sale or Transfer of a Firearm — Alleged sales, transfers, or loans of firearms to ineligible individuals or without compliance with Missouri law.
- Ghost Guns and Altered Serial Numbers — Possessing or transferring firearms that lack serial numbers or have been illegally modified.
- School/Posted Property Violations — Carrying firearms on school property or in areas posted as weapon-free zones.
- Municipal Weapons Offenses — Defending city-level gun cases in Freeman, MO, Jackson County, and surrounding jurisdictions.
- Enhancement Allegations — Additional penalties for alleged firearm use in conjunction with drug or violent felony offenses.
Federal Gun Charges in Freeman, MO
Freeman, MO cases can be indicted in the Western District of Missouri when federal agencies (ATF, FBI, DEA) get involved. Common statutes include 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (prohibited person in possession) and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking or violent crime). Federal cases carry guideline exposure and mandatory minimums. Our gun charges defense team has decades of experience handling federal cases in the Freeman, MO area, including parallel state/federal risk, plea posture under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and pretrial motions aimed at suppressing the gun or statements.
Restricted Areas for Firearms in and Around Freeman, MO
Missouri has some of the most lenient gun laws in the U.S., and recognizes permitless (constitutional) carry for adults who can legally possess a firearm. But, that does not mean “anything goes.” According to Missouri Revised Statute §571.107, firearms may not be carried in certain restricted areas, including:
- Police stations, sheriff’s offices, or highway patrol facilities (unless authorized by the officer in charge)
- Within 25 feet of a polling location on election day
- Any jail, prison, or correctional institution
- Courthouses and offices used for court business
- Meetings of government bodies
- Establishments licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises
- Airports beyond security checkpoints
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Buildings or areas used for child care
- Publicly accessible riverboat casinos
- Secured or gated amusement park areas
- Private properties or businesses that post “no firearms” signage
- Sports arenas or stadiums with seating for 5,000 or more
- Hospitals
Understanding Missouri’s Caste Doctrine and Your Right to Self-Defense in Freeman, MO
The Castle Doctrine, often referred to as Missouri’s “stand your ground” law, gives individuals the right to use force, even deadly force, to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property from an immediate threat. Under RSMo. §563.031, people in Freeman, MO have the legal right to protect themselves when confronted with unlawful entry or aggression, without being required to retreat first.
When Deadly Force is Justified in Freeman, MO
Under Missouri law, the use of deadly force is allowed only in specific and clearly defined situations. A person may lawfully use such force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to:
- Protect yourself or another individual from death, serious injury, or a forcible felony.
- Defend your home, residence, or vehicle from an unlawful entry or attempted intrusion.
- Prevent an unlawful intrusion on private property you own, rent, or have lawful authority to occupy.
In short, if someone breaks into your home, enters your vehicle while you’re inside, or tries to force their way onto your property in Freeman, MO, Missouri law allows you to defend yourself without hesitation.
The Castle Doctrine also includes a no duty to retreat rule. This means that you are not required to withdraw or flee before using lawful defensive force if you are in:
- A dwelling, residence, or vehicle they lawfully occupy
- Private property they own or lease
- Any location where they have a legal right to be
Simply put, when you are lawfully present and not trespassing in Freeman, MO, Missouri law affirms your right to defend yourself without retreating.
However, even with the protections of Missouri’s Castle Doctrine, self-defense cases in Freeman, MO can be complex and heavily examined by prosecutors. They often question whether your belief in danger was “reasonable” or if the threat was truly immediate. At Combs Waterkotte, our Freeman, MO criminal defense attorneys carefully investigate every detail—analyzing forensic reports, witness accounts, and video evidence to prove your actions were justified under Missouri law. Our team has a proven record of defending clients throughout Freeman and across Missouri in serious cases involving firearms, self-defense, and Castle Doctrine protections.
Understanding Penalties & Collateral Consequences for Gun Charges in Freeman, MO
Every firearm charge in Freeman, MO comes with serious risks, and the penalties depend on the details of the case. A conviction can affect nearly every part of your life, including:
- Jail or prison sentences, including mandatory minimums for armed criminal action or federal firearm violations.
- Permanent felony records that damages job prospects, professional licensing, housing options, and the right to vote or own firearms.
- Strict probation conditions requiring compliance with court-ordered conditions, searches, and monitoring.
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens if the offense is deemed a firearms or “crime of violence” category.
- Related charges like DWI, domestic violence, or drug possession in Freeman, MO, which increase sentencing exposure.
We frequently secure charge reductions, suppression of evidence, SIS (suspended imposition of sentence)/SES (suspended execution of sentence) dispositions where appropriate under Missouri law, and alternative outcomes that keep clients working and out of custody.
Freeman, MO Gun Charges Attorney: Crafting a Strong Defense
A strong defense begins with challenging how the evidence was obtained. Many Freeman, MO gun charges stem from vehicle stops or searches that violate the Fourth Amendment. Our attorneys review every report, dashcam video, and bodycam clip to determine whether police had a legal basis to stop, detain, or search you. If they didn’t, we move to suppress the firearm and any related evidence—often resulting in dismissal of the charges.
Our proven defense methods for Freeman, MO gun cases include:
- Fourth Amendment challenges: We question whether police had valid grounds to stop or search you and expose violations in consent, scope, or procedure.
- Proving lack of criminal intent: Not every weapon display is “angry” or “threatening.” A defensive or neutral act can dismantle the State’s UUW claim.
- Constructive possession disputes: Prosecutors must prove knowledge and control. In shared homes or vehicles, that link is often weak or nonexistent.
- Location & signage: Posted property rules are technical. If signage or access control was inadequate, charges may not stick.
- Challenging prohibited-person designations: Prior convictions or court orders are frequently misinterpreted—we ensure the record accurately reflects your rights.
- Intoxication allegations: Simply being near a firearm while drinking isn’t enough. The State must prove the weapon was handled dangerously, not just present.
- Forensic and evidentiary scrutiny: We analyze the chain of custody, fingerprints, serial numbers, and ballistics to expose testing flaws or mishandling.
- Federal jurisdiction issues: For federal counts, we dissect interstate commerce elements and guideline enhancements.
Facing gun charges in Freeman, MO? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte gun charges attorney in or around Freeman, MO, you’re not just partnering with a leading gun charges lawyer in Freeman, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with a knowledgeable gun charges attorney, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Freeman, MO residents:
Fighting Gun Charges in Freeman, MO — The Combs Waterkotte Approach
Our experienced and determined gun crime attorneys in Freeman, MO know exactly what it takes to protect your rights and achieve the strongest possible result. Here’s how Combs Waterkotte sets your defense apart from other firms in the Freeman area:
1. Rapid Response and Evidence Preservation
Time is everything after a firearm arrest. Our Freeman, MO gun defense lawyers act immediately to contact prosecutors, review your bond conditions, and file emergency motions to secure bodycam, dashcam, Ring footage, and dispatch recordings. This quick action helps us preserve vital evidence and uncover errors or overreach in how the case was handled.
2. Search & Seizure Audit
We conduct a detailed review of every aspect of your arrest, from the initial traffic stop to the moment the firearm was seized, to uncover constitutional violations. When the police overstep their authority, we fight to have that evidence suppressed. Without the gun in evidence, most firearm prosecutions crumble.
3. Breaking Down the Elements of Proof
Our attorneys meticulously analyze what the prosecution must prove—including possession, knowledge, and intent, and pinpoint where their evidence fails. In cases involving multiple occupants or shared spaces, we build a clear, fact-based argument showing that the weapon cannot be directly linked to you, frequently resulting in reduced or dismissed charges.
4. Context & Mitigation
Your story matters, and we make sure it’s heard. We highlight your employment, family responsibilities, military or firearm training, and community contributions to humanize you before the court. Our mitigation packets, supported by documentation, letters, and verified background, help prosecutors and judges see the person behind the charge, not just the police report.
5. Leverage & Litigation
Combs Waterkotte negotiates from a position of strength. Because we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, prosecutors know we’re not afraid of the courtroom. This readiness shifts leverage in your favor, often leading to charge reductions, favorable plea offers, or full dismissals. If the case proceeds to trial, we bring a well-prepared, persuasive defense that juries respect.
6. Protecting Your Future Beyond the Freeman, MO Case
When a conviction can’t be avoided, our goal shifts to minimizing the impact on your life and record. Your Freeman, MO gun crime lawyer explores every alternative resolution—SIS or SES dispositions, diversion programs, and other options that prevent a permanent conviction. We also guide you through the expungement process where eligible, ensuring one charge doesn’t limit your opportunities for years to come.
What Missouri Law Says About Firearms
Common pitfalls our gun charges attorney in Freeman, MO sees include:
- Concealment & Transport Rules: The way a firearm is stored or concealed in your vehicle can determine whether it’s considered lawful possession.
- Intoxication: Simply possessing a weapon while intoxicated can result in an unlawful use of a weapon charge—even if it’s never fired.
- Prohibited Status in Freeman, MO: People with certain prior convictions, specific court orders, or conditions of probation/parole may be barred from possession.
- Brandishing/Exhibiting: Exhibiting a firearm in an “angry or threatening” way can turn a misunderstanding into a criminal case overnight.
In short: Every gun case turns on context—location, intent, and the circumstances of possession all matter. Our attorneys make sure that full context is presented, uncovering the facts that prove your actions were lawful and challenging any charge built on assumptions or overreach.
Why Choose Combs Waterkotte for Your Freeman, MO Gun Charges Defense
Choosing the right gun crime lawyer in Freeman, MO is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after an arrest. At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys deliver relentless, results-driven defense strategies backed by decades of experience fighting firearm and weapons charges in Missouri’s toughest courtrooms.
- Client-Centered Representation: We treat every client like a partner in their defense. You’ll always know where your case stands, what we’re doing to protect you, and what comes next. Our Freeman, MO attorneys believe transparency and communication are key to reducing stress and building trust.
- Prepared for Trial in Freeman, MO: We prepare every Freeman, MO case as if it will go before a jury. This level of preparation not only strengthens your defense but also gives us leverage in negotiations. Prosecutors know when Combs Waterkotte is on a case, we’re ready to fight it all the way.
- Comprehensive Defense Resources: Our firm works with respected investigators, forensic experts, and firearms specialists to challenge the prosecution’s evidence. Whether that means analyzing ballistics, reviewing digital forensics, or exposing weaknesses in police procedures, we bring every resource to your defense.
- A Record of Success in Freeman, MO: With over seven decades of combined experience, our defense team has earned a reputation for winning complex firearm cases in both state and federal court. We’ve helped clients in Freeman and across Missouri avoid convictions and protect their futures.
Protect Your Future — Contact a Freeman, MO Gun Charges Lawyer at Combs Waterkotte
A gun charge in Freeman, MO can have life-changing consequences, but you don’t have to face it alone. The team at Combs Waterkotte is ready to step in immediately, investigate your case, and build a defense strategy that works. Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out today to get started with a confidential consultation.
