574.070. Promoting civil disorder in the first degree — penalty.
It’s a felony to teach someone how to use weapons or explosives to start a violent disturbance.
This law makes it illegal to show or teach someone how to use guns or explosives if you know or intend that it will be used to start or support a violent public disturbance.
1. Important definitions used in this law:
- Civil disorder: A public disturbance with three or more people involving violence that causes or threatens damage or injury.
- Explosive or incendiary device: Includes things like:
- (a) Dynamite and other high explosives;
- (b) Bombs, grenades, missiles, and similar weapons;
- (c) Fire bombs or any breakable container with flammable liquid and a wick meant to start fires when thrown.
- Firearm: Any weapon that shoots a projectile using an explosive, or the parts to build such a weapon.
- Law enforcement officer: Any local, state, or federal officer, including members of the National Guard and military forces acting in law enforcement roles.
2. A person commits promoting civil disorder if they:
- Teach or demonstrate to someone how to use or build a firearm, explosive, or fire-starting device;
- And they know or intend that the weapon will be used in a civil disorder.
3. Promoting civil disorder is a class D felony.
4. This law does not ban training people to use weapons for legal reasons — like law enforcement, hunting, sport shooting, or other lawful activities.
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