Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Blue Valley, MO. MO is known as a pro-second amendment state – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But just because you have many freedoms to carry weapons, doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with them.
Many weapons charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. Without the help of a leading Blue Valley weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just protecting yourself and your family.
Save your life. Safeguard your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, has a track record of positive outcomes for our clients. We do not compromise on the quality of your defense and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.
Start your defence now at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Blue Valley, MO?
MO law sets regulations for both firearms and other deadly weapons. These are all in addition to federal laws, which also set rules for weapons. For example, MO does not address background checks in the sale or transfer of firearms, but federally-licensed dealers are required to conduct one, meaning that most MO gun transfers still require a background check.
In MO, the majority of people are permitted to carry a firearm, provided that:
- They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., and
- They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.
In MO, you’re allowed to use your gun at the range and for self-defense, but several other actions are against the law. These activities mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as firing a gun near a school, firing one while intoxicated, or using one while committing another crime.
One quick note – so far, this page has mainly covered state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to write their own more stringent laws related to weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Blue Valley, be sure to go over your local laws and ask a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.
Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Blue Valley, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. Here are criminal allegations that Combs Waterkotte specializes in defending:
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Transport, and Repair of Certain Weapons
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit
- Possession of an Illegal Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated
- Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
- Federal Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Federal Weapons/Firearm Offenses
- Other Gun Charges
- Other Weapons Offenses
Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO
Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Blue Valley, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense tools, such as pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without special permits.
Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are designated as dangerous weapons. Because of this, even though they are not firearms, they typically have the same regulations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.
Once again, though, as mentioned above with guns, different localities are allowed to establish different restrictions, so reach out to a Blue Valley weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a specific self-defense tool.
MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:
If you’re up against allegations for weapons crimes in MO, you need to call an attorney right away. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney before it’s too late:
| Alleged Crime | Violation | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Defacing a Firearm | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine |
| Unlawful Transfer of Weapons | Up to a Class E Felony | Up to 4 years in prison |
| Fraudulent Firearm Purchase | Class E Felony | Up to 4 years in prison |
| Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm | Up to a Class D Felony | Up to 7 years in prison |
| Unlawful Possession of a Firearm | Up to a Class B Felony | 10-20 years in prison |
| Unlawful Use of a Weapon | Up to a Class A Felony | Up to 10-30 years or life imprisonment |
| Armed Criminal Action | Unclassified Felony | Adds at least 3 years onto a prison sentence, which cannot be avoided with probation or parole |
When you look at the potential fallout of a conviction, why would you not hire a Blue Valley weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Blue Valley, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
When you’re hiring a Blue Valley, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need an attorney who will leave no stone unturned, and will keep going until you get the justice you deserve.
Here are some of the main things to look for when choosing a lawyer to represent you:
- Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Our firm has extensive experience defending against weapon crime charges, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
- Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a prestigious reputation amongst previous clients, other law firms, and professional associations.
- Resources: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of elite individuals at your back.
- Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in maintaining open lines of communication with all of our clients, and we keep you informed on any updates with your case.
- Fearless Defense: If the case goes to trial, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s been in this situation before. Our lawyers always build our cases as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.
Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Blue Valley, MO
Weapon crimes can be defended in similar ways to many other criminal allegations. That said, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and defensive strategies can focus less on whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”
Here are some of the defense strategies our team might use in your defense against Blue Valley, MO, weapon crimes charges:
- Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal charges can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you have the right to defend yourself against imminent danger.
- Defense of Others: Just like with self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. Some weapon charges can be related to this in the same way that they can be related to self-defense.
- Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine says that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and other people at your residence. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the force used needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
- Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri dictates that you if you are permitted to be in a given location, you have the right to defend yourself (even with weapons and force) without needing to retreat first.
- Necessity: The defense of necessity acknowledges that you committed the illegal act, but provides an excuse as to why you shouldn’t be punished. Perhaps you stole a weapon that you knew was going to be misused. You could be charged with theft, but preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
- Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but someone forced you to do so, duress could be a valid excuse. An example of this might be if you removed the serial numbers of a firearm, defacing it, but only did so because someone threatened you.
- Lack of Intent: If you didn’t mean to break the law, depending on what exactly it was, a lack of intent can protect you from punishment. For example, giving a blackjack to a person under the age of 18 is illegal without their parents’ permission. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.
Blue Valley, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Widely used self-defense weapons that are legal to use in Missouri include firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons. Keep in mind that some of these do have special requirements.
On a related note, when acting in self-defense, your response remain proportionate to the threat.
What is the penalty for armed criminal action in Missouri?
Armed criminal action is technically a felony in and of itself, but only occurs when allegedly committing another felony. Any penalties from armed criminal action are in addition to the penalties for the original felony, and the sentence depends on whether the person was previously convicted of armed criminal action:
First offense: Adds 3-15 years (or 5-15 years if the gun was illegally possessed)
Second offense: Adds 5-30 years (or 15+ years if the gun was illegally possessed)
Third+ offense: Addes 10+ years (or 15+ years if the gun was illegally possessed)
Additionally, any penalties added because of armed criminal action are not eligible for parole or probation.
What is the Castle Doctrine in Missouri?
Missouri castle doctrine is covered in §563.031, RSMo 2016, which allows individuals to defend their dwelling, residence, or vehicle from aggressors, without first trying to retreat.
However, this does not mean you can shoot someone just for trespassing on your property. The use of deadly force is only justified when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Blue Valley, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law allows one to use force to defend oneself from a threat, provided that the defensive force is proportional to the threatening force.
Self-defense is legal when it is used to defend oneself (or others) from attack, when one is unable or not required to retreat, or to defend one’s home/vehicle.
As a stand your ground state, in Missouri, citizens are not required to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they were allowed to be in that spot in the first place.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Blue Valley?
Common defense strategies against allegations of weapon crimes include self-defense, the defense of others, castle doctrine, and stand your ground.
How can you lose your right to own a gun in Blue Valley?
Blue Valley, MO residents can lose their Second Amendment rights in a few ways:
- If they receive a felony conviction
- If they are a fugitive
- If they are regularly drunk or drugged
- If they are deemed mentally incompetent
- If, in accordance with federal laws, they have been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
Can police search your car for weapons without a warrant?
Law enforcement cannot search your car under normal circumstance, but, police can still search your car for weapons if they have probable cause, if you consent, if you’ve been arrested and they are securing the area, or if your vehicle is impounded.

Facing Weapon Crimes Charges in Blue Valley, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now
Weapon crimes in Blue Valley are no joke. If a prosecutor is trying to put you in prison for them, you need a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to protect your rights. You need Combs Waterkotte.
With us, you’re not just getting a law firm that will take the first deal offered and call it a day. Our team is entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means doing whatever we can to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and track record of success that you need in your corner.
Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.