Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Claycomo, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.
Many weapons charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. On your own, without a leading Claycomo weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just acting in self defense.
Protect your life. Safeguard your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapons crime defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, knows how to protect you. 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 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

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Claycomo, MO?
MO law defines what you can and can’t do with guns and other deadly weapons. These are all in addition to federal laws, which also set rules for weapons. One way they are different is this: MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federally-licensed dealers are required 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, lawful people are permitted to carry a firearm, as long as:
- 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 activities are not legal. These actions mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as firing a gun near a school, 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 make their own laws regarding firearms and other weapons, so to make sure you’re following Claycomo laws, be sure to go through your local laws and consult with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.
Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Claycomo, 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
Other Types of Weapon Laws in MO
It’s also important in MO to be aware of laws for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense devices, including pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without special permits.
Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are categorized as dangerous weapons. With this classification, even though they are not guns, they frequently are subject to the same regulations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.
However, as mentioned above related to firearms, different localities are allowed to establish more specific regulations, so reach out to a Claycomo weapons law expert if you don’t know the rules a specific self-defense implement.
MO Weapon Crimes Punishments:
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 Claycomo weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Claycomo, 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 Claycomo, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need someone who will leave no stone unturned, and will keep going until you get the justice you deserve.
Below, we’ve listed the important qualifications you should watch out for when hiring a Claycomo defense attorney:
- Experience: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. 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 stellar reputation amongst former clients, fellow lawyers, and professional societies.
- Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals on your side.
- Approach: It’s important to work with a lawyer who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we don’t leave you in the dark with your case.
- Staunch Defense: If your case isn’t diverted and you end up in trial, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. Our attorneys always build our cases as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.
Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Claycomo, 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.”
In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense tactics we might use in your defense against Claycomo, MO, weapon crimes charges:
- Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal accusations can may not actually be applicable to you. In Missouri, it’s legal to protect yourself from 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 related to this in the same way that they can be related to self-defense.
- Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine dictates that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and others in your home. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the force used must be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
- Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri states 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: When you unwillingly broke the law, because you were forced 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: Some weapon crimes require intent to be guilty. For example, giving a blackjack to someone younger than 18 is not allowed without approval from their parent/guardian. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.
Claycomo, 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 guns, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons. Some of these still face restrictions in their use, though.
Additionally, it’s important to note that 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. The prison sentence it adds is 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)
On top of that, punishments 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 permits the use of force to defend one’s 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 allowed when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Claycomo, 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 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 do not have a duty to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they have a right to be in that location.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Claycomo?
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 Claycomo?
People in Claycomo, MO, can lose their right to bear arms for a few reasons:
- 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 were convicted of domestic violence, even if it was a misdemeanor.
Can police search your car for weapons without a warrant?
You typically have a right to privacy in your vehicle, however, police can still search your car for weapons if they have probable cause, if you agree to the search, if they are checking for their safety after an arrest, or if your vehicle is impounded.

Up Against Criminal Weapon Charges in Claycomo, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible
Weapon crime charges in Claycomo are serious business. If a prosecutor is trying to put you in prison for them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer fight against the charges. You need Combs Waterkotte.
When we take the case, you’re choosing a firm that doesn’t settle for the second-best outcome. Our team is results-driven, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and expertice that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.
Speak with a representative now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.