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Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Camden Point, MO

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Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Camden Point, 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 even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.

Several weapon crime charges are felonies, and a conviction could put you behind bars for years. On your own, without a leading Camden Point weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Secure your rights. Safeguard your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert weapons crime defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. 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 touch right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.

Cases Handled

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Jail Days Saved

Over 1 Million

Google Reviews

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Legal Experience

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Weapon Crime Defense Attorney | Camden Point, MO, Weapon Crime Defense


What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Camden Point, MO?

MO law sets rules for the usage, ownership, and transfer of guns and other 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 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 citizens are permitted to carry a firearm, provided that:

  1. They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., and
  2. They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.

Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but some specific uses are not allowed. These activities mostly are ones that would put others’ wellbeing at risk, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one over a highway, or firing it into a building.

One quick note – although we focused on state regulations above, MO allows for individual municipalities to write their own laws on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re following Camden Point laws, be sure to go through your local regulations and consult with a gun crime lawyer if there’s any part you’re having trouble understanding.

Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Camden Point, MO. Here are some of the most common types of cases that we’ve helped defend at Combs Waterkotte:

Other Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Camden Point, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense instruments, namely pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without special permits.

Knives, blackjacks, and batons, are are more stringently regulated because they are designated as deadly weapons. Because of this, even though they are not firearms, they frequently face the same limitations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

However, as mentioned above with guns, different municipalities can set different regulations, so get in touch with a Camden Point weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a given self-defense implement.

MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:

When you’re up against weapon crimes allegations in MO, there’s no time to mess around. 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 Camden Point weapon crimes defense lawyer?



What to Look For in a Camden Point, 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 need a Camden Point, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need an attorney who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.

When deciding on a defense attorney, keep in mind the following:

  • Experience: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. Our attorneys has a wealth of experience defending against weapon crime charges, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
  • Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a phenomenal reputation amongst previous clients, fellow attorneys, and professional organizations.
  • Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of skillful individuals at your back.
  • Approach: It’s important to work with a lawyer 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 plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our attorneys always prepare our cases as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Camden Point, MO

Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. That said, they are more likely to involve tactics like claiming self-defense, and defensive strategies are often less about if you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”

Below, we’ve listed common defense strategies our team might use in your case against Camden Point, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

  • Self-Defense: Weapons are frequently used in self-defense, and related criminal accusations can may not actually be applicable to you. In Missouri, you have the right to defend yourself against imminent danger.
  • Defense of Others: Just like with self-defense, you can take action to protect another person from harm. 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 permitted to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those who are in your dwelling. Caslet doctrine does not require you to retreat prior to defending yourself. However, the force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
  • Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in 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: If you find yourself in a tight spot, where something bad is going to happen, and the only way you can stop it is by breaking a law, you can claim necessity. 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 preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
  • Duress: If you weren’t a willing participant in a criminal action, but someone forced you to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. 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 someone younger than 18 is not allowed without approval from their parent/guardian. However, if you honestly thought the person was older, you would not have had intent.

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Camden Point, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?

Typical self-defense devices which you can legally 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 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. Any penalties from armed criminal action are on top of the penalties for the related felony, and 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 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 needing to retreat.

However, this does not mean you can shoot someone just for trespassing on your property. The use of deadly force is only allowed when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”

What counts as self-defense in Camden Point, MO?

Missouri’s self-defense law allows one to use force to defend oneself from 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 protect 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, Missouri law makes it so that citizens do not have a duty to retreat from a threatening situation, as long as they were not trespassing themselves.

How do I defend against weapons charges in Camden Point?

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 Camden Point?

People in Camden Point, MO, can lose their right to bear arms in a few ways:

  1. If they receive a felony conviction
  2. If they are a fugitive
  3. If they are regularly drunk or drugged
  4. If they are deemed mentally incompetent
  5. 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 they are checking for their safety after an arrest, or if your vehicle is impounded.


Weapons Crime Defense Attorney | Camden Point, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense


Up Against Criminal Weapon Charges in Camden Point, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible

Weapon crime charges in Camden Point are serious business. And if you’re being charged with committing them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense attorney 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 skills that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a free, confidential consultation.

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