Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Buckner, MO. MO is known as a pro-second amendment state – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But something as simple as carrying your self-defense tool into the wrong location can still land you with felony charges.
Several weapons charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. Without the help of a leading Buckner weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just forgetting to check your pockets.
Save your life. Guard your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of Buckner’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 against your criminal weapons charges.
Get in contact now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Over 1 Million
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What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Buckner, MO?
MO law sets regulations for both guns and other deadly weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. One way they are different is this: MO does not require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federal law requires licensed dealers to perform one, meaning that you’ll still likely need to go through a background check when you purchase a firearm in MO.
In MO, most 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.
MO allows its citizens the use of guns to shoot targets and for self-defense, but certain uses are not allowed. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as firing a gun near a school, firing one over a highway, or firing it into a building.
One thing to note before we move on – although we focused on state restrictions above, MO allows for individual municipalities to write their own restrictions on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re following Buckner laws, be sure to go through your local regulations and ask a gun crime lawyer if there’s any part you’re having trouble understanding.
Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Buckner, MO. 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
Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO
Buckner, 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 instruments, such as pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without special permits.
Knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are categorized as dangerous weapons. This means that even though they are not guns, they generally have the same restrictions, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.
However, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different localities can have more specific restrictions, so get in touch with a Buckner weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a given self-defense tool.
MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:
The penalties for alleged weapon crimes in MO are steep. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney early:
| 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 Buckner weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Buckner, 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 deciding on a Buckner, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need an attorney who will leave no stone unturned, and won’t rest until you get the justice you deserve.
When deciding on a defense attorney, keep in mind the following:
- Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Combs Waterkotte has considerable experience defending weapon crimes cases, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
- Reputation: When people talk about your lawyer, you want to hear good things. Combs Waterkotte has a prestigious reputation amongst previous clients, fellow lawyers, and professional associations.
- Resources: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals on your side.
- Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, we treat your case as if it were our own, and we make sure you know what we’re working on with your case.
- Fearless Defense: If your case isn’t diverted and you end up in 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 defenses as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.
Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Buckner, MO
Weapon crimes are, on a fundamental level, just like most other criminal allegations: You are charged, negotiate, and if necessary, go to trial. However, there are some trends; for example, defendants often claim self-defense, and cases are often less about if you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”
In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense strategies Combs Waterkotte might use in your case against Buckner, MO, weapon crimes allegations:
- 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 are allowed to take actions to defend yourself against imminent danger.
- Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you can take action to protect another person from harm. 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 dictates that you are permitted to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those at your residence. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the force used needs to 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 determines 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: 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 you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
- Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but another person forced to do so, you can claim duress as a defense. 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: Depending on the exact charge, you might be able to claim that your violation was unintentional. For example, giving a blackjack to a person under the age of 18 is illegal without their parents’ permission. However, if you honestly thought the person was older, you would not have had intent.
Buckner, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Typical self-defense items 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.
Regardless of the weapon you use, though, keep in mind that when acting in self-defense, the response must use a level of force proportionate to the threat.
What is the penalty for armed criminal action in Missouri?
Armed criminal action involves the use of a deadly weapon while committing another felony. The prison sentence it adds is in addition to the penalties for the original felony, and the sentence depends on whether the person already has armed criminal action on their record or not:
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)
On top of that, prison sentences added because of armed criminal action are ineligible for parole or probation.
What is the Castle Doctrine in Missouri?
Missouri castle doctrine is covered in §563.031, RSMo 2016, which dictates that you can use force to defend your 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. Deadly force is only permitted when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Buckner, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law permits 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 protect oneself (or others) from attack, when one is unable or not required to retreat, or to protect one’s home/vehicle.
As a stand your ground state, Missouri states that citizens are not required to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they were not trespassing themselves.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Buckner?
Common defense strategies for criminal weapon charges 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 Buckner?
Buckner, 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?
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 car is impounded.

Up Against Criminal Weapon Charges in Buckner, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now
Weapon crimes in Buckner are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you have to have a leading weapon crimes defense attorney to protect your rights. You need Combs Waterkotte.
With Combs Waterkotte, you’re choosing a firm that doesn’t settle for the second-best outcome. Our team is all about getting you good results, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and skills that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.
Start building your defense today at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.