St. Louis County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer|Weapon crime defense lawyer St. Louis County, MO}. Weapon and gun laws are aggressively enforced throughout the St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer can make the difference.
Combs Waterkotte provides aggressive defense for clients charged with firearm and weapon offenses throughout St. Louis County and Missouri. From unlawful possession allegations to concealed carry violations, weapon enhancements, and felony-level gun charges, our team acts immediately to scrutinize the stop, suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, and dismantle the prosecution’s case.
Your future shouldn’t hinge on assumptions. Contact a trusted St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, MO Can Escalate Fast
Weapons charges are rarely “stand-alone” cases. In the St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte.
Potential consequences include:
- Incarceration in jail or state prison
- Permanent loss of firearm ownership rights
- A felony record
- Sentence enhancements in future cases
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Career and professional licensing damage
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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 …
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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?
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Firearm & Weapon Offenses We Defend Across the St. Louis County, MO Area
Combs Waterkotte provides aggressive defense for clients in and around St. Louis 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 St. Louis County limits or from a motor vehicle, or possessing a firearm while allegedly intoxicated.
Illegal or Prohibited Firearm Possession
RSMo. § 571.070: Charges based on alleged prohibited status, including prior felony convictions or active orders of protection in the St. Louis County, MO area.
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 & Altered Firearm Identification
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
Cases involving alleged firearm possession on school campuses or other restricted or clearly posted locations in the St. Louis County, MO area.
City-Level Weapons Code Violations
Municipal weapons charges filed under local ordinances throughout St. Louis County, MO and nearby jurisdictions.
Sentence Enhancements & Status Allegations
Sentence enhancements and status-based allegations, including persistent offender or dangerous offender designations tied to firearm involvement in drug or violent felony prosecutions.
Federal Firearm Charges in St. Louis County, MO
Firearm cases in St. Louis 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.
Federal gun cases frequently involve parallel state and federal exposure, making early decisions critical. Our St. Louis County, MO weapons defense attorneys bring decades of experience defending federal firearm prosecutions—challenging unlawful searches, suppressing statements, and navigating the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to reduce or eliminate long-term prison risk whenever possible.
Why Clients Across St. Louis County, MO Trust Combs Waterkotte With Weapon Charges
Gun and weapon offenses are treated aggressively in St. Louis 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.
Personalized, Client-First Representation
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 defense team brings decades of experience handling weapon and firearm cases across St. Louis County, MO, surrounding courts, and federal jurisdictions. We understand how prosecutors build these cases, how judges evaluate firearm allegations, and how federal gun laws can reshape sentencing exposure. That perspective gives our clients a decisive advantage from the very beginning.
Immediate, Strategic Action
Time is critical in weapons cases. Evidence can disappear, narratives can harden, and early mistakes can become permanent. Our team moves quickly to secure video evidence, scrutinize probable cause, challenge unlawful searches, and file motions that can weaken or end the case before it gains traction. Speed and preparation are not optional—they are essential.
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.
Arrested with a firearm in the St. Louis County, MO area? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte weapon crime defense lawyer in the St. Louis County, MO area, you aren’t simply choosing a top-rated weapon crime defense attorney in St. Louis County and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to an esteemed weapon crime defense lawyer, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for St. Louis County, MO residents:
What Turns a Weapon Charge Into a Felony in St. Louis County, MO?
Felony weapons convictions can carry years in prison and permanently strip you of your firearm rights. Early legal intervention is critical. Weapon crimes in St. Louis County, MO can quickly escalate to felony charges, especially when prosecutors allege:
- A prior felony or disqualifying conviction
- A firearm was connected to another alleged offense
- Status as a prohibited person under Missouri or federal law
- Possession of restricted or altered firearms
- Incidents involving schools, minors, or posted locations
Common Defenses Our Attorneys Use in St. Louis County, MO Weapon Crime Charges
Gun cases are rarely as straightforward as prosecutors suggest. Our St. Louis County, MO weapon crime defense team dissects every aspect of the state’s case, from the initial stop to the alleged possession, using targeted defense strategies designed to expose weaknesses and suppress unlawful evidence:
- 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. - Self-Defense Under Missouri Law
Missouri law permits the use of force—including deadly force—when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to stop imminent harm or death. Where applicable, we assert self-defense and stand-your-ground protections to dismantle unlawful use of weapon allegations. - Unlawful Police Conduct
Many gun charges arise from illegal stops or searches in St. Louis County, MO. If officers violated your constitutional rights by searching your vehicle, person, or property without proper legal justification, we move to have the firearm—and the entire case—thrown out.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Former Prosecutor Insight. Defense-First Strategy in the St. Louis County, MO Area.
Combs Waterkotte approaches weapon crime defense in the St. Louis County, MO area with a critical edge: we understand the prosecution’s playbook. From charging decisions to enhancement tactics, we know how these cases are built—and where they can be dismantled.
That advantage allows our St. Louis County, MO defense team to:
- Spot pressure points early in the case
- Push back against stacked charges
- Expose weak firearm or status-based allegations
- Shift control of the case back to the defense
- Force the state to prove its case at trial when necessary
Prosecutors treat cases differently when they know the defense is prepared, experienced, and unafraid to litigate.
Next Steps After a Weapon Charge in St. Louis County, MO
If you’re facing a firearm-related accusation in St. Louis County, MO:
- 1. Do not answer questions without counsel
- 2. Do not consent to searches
- 3. Do not assume lawful possession equals no charge
- 4. Speak with an experienced St. Louis County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer right away
A prepared defense changes how prosecutors evaluate risk—and how far they’re willing to push a case.
Speak With a Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer in St. Louis County, MO Right Away
A firearm charge doesn’t determine who you are—but hesitation can determine how the case ends. Weapon offenses carry real, immediate risk, and waiting only gives the prosecution time to tighten its grip.
If you’re facing a firearm or weapon charge in St. Louis County, MO, call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a case evaluation with an experienced St. Louis County, MO weapon crime defense lawyer. The sooner we act, the stronger your defense becomes.
