Howard County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer Howard County, MO}. Weapon and gun laws are aggressively enforced throughout the Howard 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 Howard County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer can make the difference.
At Combs Waterkotte, we represent individuals throughout Howard County and across Missouri who are facing serious weapons and firearms allegations. Whether your case involves possession claims, firearm accusations tied to another offense, concealed weapon issues, or a high-stakes felony weapons charge, our defense team moves fast to protect your rights, challenge illegal searches, and fight for dismissal or reduction.
Your future shouldn’t hinge on assumptions. Contact a trusted Howard County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. With over 60 years of combined experience and more than 10,000 successful cases, Combs Waterkotte is prepared to stand between you and a life-altering conviction.
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Weapon Charges in Howard County, MO Can Escalate Fast
Weapons charges are rarely “stand-alone” cases. In the Howard 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 Howard County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte.
A weapon-related conviction may lead to:
- Incarceration in jail or state prison
- Permanent loss of firearm rights
- A felony record
- Sentence enhancements in future cases
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Long-term career and licensing setbacks
Legal Videos
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
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Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
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.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
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St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
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.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
Firearm & Weapon Offenses We Defend Across the Howard County, MO Area
Combs Waterkotte provides aggressive defense for clients in and around Howard County, MO who are charged under Missouri or federal firearm laws. Our experience includes defending cases involving:
Unlawful Use of a Weapon (UUW)
Under Missouri Revised Statute § 571.030, these allegations may involve concealed carry issues, displaying a firearm in an intimidating or threatening way, firing a weapon within Howard County limits or from a motor vehicle, or possessing a firearm while allegedly intoxicated.
Illegal or Prohibited Firearm Possession
Pursuant to RSMo. § 571.070, prosecutors may file charges based on claimed prohibited status, such as a prior felony conviction or an active order of protection in the Howard County, MO region.
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 & Defaced Serial Numbers
Under RSMo. § 571.050, possession or distribution of firearms without serial numbers—or with altered or removed identifiers—can result in serious criminal charges.
School Zones & Restricted Locations
Allegations involving firearm possession on school property or in locations specifically prohibited by statute or posted notice within the Howard County, MO area.
City-Level Weapons Code Violations
Municipal weapons charges filed under local ordinances throughout Howard County, MO and nearby jurisdictions.
Sentence Enhancements & Status Allegations
Firearm-related enhancements, including persistent or dangerous offender designations tied to drug or violent felony cases.
Federal Weapon Crimes in Howard County, MO
Firearm cases in Howard 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 often involve overlapping state and federal jurisdiction, requiring immediate and strategic defense decisions. Our Howard County, MO weapon crimes defense team has decades of experience handling federal firearm prosecutions, challenging illegal searches and seizures, attacking the admissibility of statements, and positioning cases strategically under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines from the very beginning.
Why Clients Across Howard County, MO Trust Combs Waterkotte With Weapon Charges
Gun and weapon offenses are treated aggressively in Howard 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
Strong outcomes come from strength at trial. We prepare every weapons case for litigation, even when resolution is possible. That preparation allows us to challenge illegal searches, improper seizures, questionable firearm classifications, and unsupported enhancements with confidence. Prosecutors recognize when a firm is prepared to take a case the distance—and that recognition matters.
Resources That Tip the Scales
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.
Deep Knowledge of Missouri and Federal Firearm Prosecutions
Our attorneys have defended firearm and weapons charges throughout Howard County, MO, neighboring jurisdictions, and the Eastern District of Missouri for over six decades. We know how these cases are charged, how local judges approach bond and sentencing, and how federal statutes and mandatory minimums can dramatically raise the stakes. That institutional knowledge allows us to anticipate problems early and make strategic decisions that protect our clients.
Early Intervention That Changes Outcomes
Weapon charges in Howard County, MO move quickly, and so do we. Early intervention can mean the difference between suppressed evidence and a conviction. We move immediately to preserve video, challenge probable cause, file strategic motions, and control the narrative before the prosecution gains momentum. Speed, preparation, and pressure are central to how we defend our clients.
Straight Answers. Unwavering Defense.
We don’t promise outcomes we can’t control. What we do promise is effort, urgency, transparency, and a defense strategy built to protect your freedom, your rights, and your future. Whether that means dismissal, reduction, or a hard-fought trial, Combs Waterkotte stands with you every step of the way.
Charged with a weapon crime in Howard County, MO? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer in or around Howard County, MO, you aren’t just selecting the ideal weapon crime defense lawyer in and around Howard County, MO – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with an esteemed weapon crime defense attorney, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Howard County and beyond:
How Weapon Charges Escalate to Felonies in Howard County, MO
Not every weapons arrest starts as a felony—but many end there. Once prosecutors pursue felony-level charges, the penalties become severe, including long prison sentences and permanent loss of firearm privileges. In the Howard County, MO area, weapons cases are most often elevated when the state alleges:
- Prior felony convictions
- Use or possession during another alleged crime
- The accused was legally barred from possession
- The weapon was modified, prohibited, or altered
- The incident involved minors or restricted locations
How Combs Waterkotte Defends Weapon Charges in Howard County, MO
Weapon crime cases in Howard County and elsewhere across Missouri are often built on assumptions—not solid evidence. At Combs Waterkotte, our Howard County, MO firearm defense lawyers attack those assumptions using defenses tailored to the facts of your case, including:
- 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. - Lawful Self-Defense & Stand-Your-Ground
Missouri law protects individuals who act in reasonable self-defense. If the evidence shows you acted to prevent immediate harm or death, we assert self-defense and stand-your-ground rights to contest weapon-related accusations. - Illegal Stops, Searches, or Seizures
Many firearm cases begin with illegal police conduct. If officers lacked probable cause, exceeded the scope of a stop, or conducted an unlawful search, we seek suppression of the firearm and any evidence derived from that violation.
Howard County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Howard County and Missouri.
Prosecutor Experience. Defense Built to Apply Pressure in Howard County, MO.
Combs Waterkotte brings a critical advantage to Howard County, MO weapon crime defense: we understand how prosecutors think. We know which cases they push, which evidence they rely on, and where their cases are weakest.
That perspective enables us to:
- Recognize weak or inflated charges early
- Challenge firearm-related sentencing enhancements
- Expose weak firearm or status-based allegations
- Shift control of the case back to the defense
- Proceed confidently to trial when it serves your interests
A prepared defense changes how prosecutors evaluate risk—and how far they’re willing to push a case.
If You’re Under Investigation for a Weapon Charge in Howard County, MO
If law enforcement has contacted you, detained you, or made an arrest involving a firearm in or around Howard County, MO:
- 1. Say nothing beyond identifying yourself
- 2. Do not give consent to any search
- 3. Do not assume possession alone tells the whole story
- 4. Speak with an experienced Howard County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer immediately
A prepared defense changes how prosecutors evaluate risk—and how far they’re willing to push a case.
Get Legal Protection for a Weapon Charge in Howard County, MO
Weapon charges carry consequences that can follow you for life—but they don’t have to. What matters most is how quickly and strategically you respond once the state gets involved.
If you’re facing a firearm or weapons allegation in Howard County, MO, call Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with a seasoned Howard County, MO weapon crime defense attorney. The sooner your defense begins, the more control you keep over your future.
