Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Braymer, MO. Weapons, both concealed and open carry, are popular in MO – the state’s gun & weapon laws allow for more freedom for possession and usage. But something as simple as carrying your self-defense tool into the wrong location can still land you with felony charges.
A lot of weapons criminal charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. If you don’t have a leading Braymer weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just protecting yourself and your family.
Save your life. Guard your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of Braymer’s leading weapon crimes defense attorneys, 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.
Get in contact immediately at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Braymer, MO?
MO law covers topics like purchase, possession, and use of guns and other deadly weapons. But that’s not all you have to worry about in MO: There are still federal laws that affect the availability and use of self-defense tools. One way they are different is this: MO does not require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federally-licensed dealers are required to conduct one, meaning that if you want to buy a gun in MO, you should still be prepared for a background check.
In MO, lawful citizens are permitted to carry a gun, as long as:
- In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
- They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.
Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but certain uses are not allowed. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, firing one over a highway, or using one while committing another crime.
One quick note – so far, this page has mainly covered state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to write their own more stringent laws regarding firearms and other weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Braymer, be sure to go through your local regulations and ask a gun crime lawyer if there’s any part you’re having trouble understanding.
Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Braymer, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. Here are some of our specialty areas that we’ve fought cases for in MO:
- 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
Other Types of Weapon Laws in MO
Braymer, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense devices, including pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without special permits.
Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are treated as deadly weapons. Because of this, even though they are not firearms, they generally are subject to the same restrictions, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.
However, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different municipalities can set their own restrictions, so don’t be afraid to ask a Braymer weapons law expert if you don’t know the rules a specific self-defense tool.
MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:
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 Braymer weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Braymer, 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 Braymer, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need a lawyer who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t rest 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 lawyers has extensive experience defending against weapon crime charges, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
- Reputation: When people talk about your lawyer, you want to hear good things. Combs Waterkotte has a distinguished reputation amongst former clients, peers, and professional organizations.
- Resources: Some cases can be handled by just one attorney. But for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of skillful individuals on your side.
- Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we make sure you know what we’re working on with your case.
- Fearless Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s been in this situation before. Our lawyers always construct our defenses as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.
Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Braymer, MO
Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. That said, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and cases are often less about whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”
In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense strategies we might use in your case against Braymer, MO, weapon crimes charges:
- Self-Defense: Weapons are frequently used in self-defense, and related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you are allowed to take actions to protect yourself from 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 dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
- Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine says that you are sanctioned to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and other people at your residence. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the amount and type of force used must be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
- Stand Your Ground: An extension of the castle doctrine, the stand your ground law in Missouri states that you have no requirement to retreat before using force (including weapons) to defend yourself, as long as you were permitted to be in that location in the first place.
- Necessity: Necessity applies to situations where you were forced to do something illegal in order to stop something worse. Perhaps you knew someone at risk of self harm, and to protect them, gave their weapons to someone who legally wasn’t allowed to possess them. This is technically against the law, but you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
- Duress: If you weren’t a willing participant in a criminal action, but someone forced you to do so, you can claim duress as a defense. For example, if someone threatened your family and made you carry a weapon into a government building, you could claim duress as a defense.
- Lack of Intent: Depending on the exact charge, you might be able to claim that your violation was unintentional. For example, giving a blackjack to an underaged person without permission is illegal. If you honestly thought this person had parental permission, though, you could be exempt due to a lack of intent.
Braymer, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Normal self-defense items which you can legally use in Missouri include guns, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons, although some face special restrictions.
On a related note, when acting in self-defense, the response remain proportionate to the threat.
What is the penalty for armed criminal action in Missouri?
Armed criminal action is not a standalone criminal charge, but an add-on to another felony. Punishments for this crime are always in conjunction with the penalties for the related felony, and depends on whether the person has a criminal history 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 a part of §563.031, RSMo 2016, which dictates that you can use force to defend your dwelling, residence, or vehicle from aggressors, with no requirement to retreat.
However, this does not give you permission to shoot someone that is not a threat to you. The use of deadly force is only permitted when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Braymer, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law permits one to use force to defend against a threat, so long as the defensive force is proportional to the threatening force.
Self-defense is legal in cases where it is used to defend oneself (or others) from harm, when one is unable or not required to retreat, or to defend one’s home/vehicle.
As a stand your ground state, Missouri law makes it so that citizens are not required to retreat from a threatening situation, as long as they have a right to be in that location.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Braymer?
Common defense strategies in weapons cases consist of self-defense, the defense of others, castle doctrine, and stand your ground.
How can you lose your right to own a gun in Braymer?
People in Braymer, MO, can lose their right to bear arms 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 domestic violence, regardless of whether it was a misdemeanor or a felony.
Can police search your car for weapons without a warrant?
While you are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures, police can still search your car for weapons if they have probable cause, if you consent, if they are checking for their safety after an arrest, or if your vehicle is impounded.

Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Braymer, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today
Weapon crimes in Braymer are not going to go away on their own. And if you’re being charged with committing them, you have to have a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to fight for your freedom. You need Combs Waterkotte.
When we take the case, you’re not just getting a law firm that will take the first deal offered and call it a day. Our team is all about getting you good results, and that means not stopping until we get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and track record of success that defending these charges demands.
Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.