571.070. Possession of firearm unlawful for certain persons — penalty — exception
Some people aren’t allowed to have guns—breaking this rule is a felony
If someone has a gun and they’ve been convicted of a felony, are a fugitive, often intoxicated, or judged mentally incompetent, they can be charged with a serious crime—unless the gun is an antique.
1. A person commits the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm if they knowingly have a firearm and:
- (1) They’ve been convicted of a felony in Missouri or any other place that would be a felony in Missouri; or
- (2) They are a fugitive from justice, are regularly drunk or on drugs, or have been officially declared mentally incompetent.
2. Unlawful possession of a firearm is a class C felony. But if the person has a past conviction for a dangerous felony (as defined in section 556.061) or has already been convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, then it becomes a class B felony.
3. The law does not apply to antique firearms.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
