Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Drexel, MO. It’s not uncommon for somebody in MO to carry a weapon on themselves, even as simple as a pocket knife – 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.
A lot of weapons charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. Without the help of a leading Drexel weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just protecting yourself and your family.
Protect your rights. Safeguard your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert weapon crimes defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has defended over 10,000 cases. 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 touch today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online 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 Drexel, MO?
MO law defines what you can and can’t do with firearms 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 you’ll still likely need to go through a background check when you purchase a firearm in MO.
In MO, the majority of individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, so long as:
- In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, 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 illegal. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as firing a gun near a school, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or firing it into a building.
One quick note – so far, this page has mainly covered state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to set up their own restrictions on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Drexel laws, be sure to go through your local laws and ask a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.
Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Drexel, 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
Other Types of Weapon Laws in MO
Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Drexel, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense tools, including pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without special permits.
Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are treated as dangerous weapons. Because of this, even though they are not guns, they generally are subject to the same regulations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.
Once again, though, as mentioned above in regards to firearms, different localities can have more specific regulations, so reach out to a Drexel weapons law expert if the law isn’t clear on a given self-defense device.
MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:
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 right away:
| 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 Drexel weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Drexel, 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 Drexel, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need someone who will fight relentlessly for your rights, 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 Drexel defense attorney:
- Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Our firm has considerable 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 phenomenal reputation amongst clients, peers, and professional organizations.
- Resources: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of practiced 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 keep you informed on any updates with your case.
- Ferocious 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, and prosecutors know that – giving us more leverage in plea negotiations.
Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Drexel, MO
Weapon crimes can be defended in similar ways to many other criminal allegations. However, there are some trends; for example, defendants often claim self-defense, and defenses can focus less on if you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”
Here are some of the defense tactics Combs Waterkotte might use in your case against Drexel, MO, weapon crimes allegations:
- Self-Defense: Weapons are frequently used in self-defense, and related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you have the right to defend yourself against imminent danger.
- Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you can protect another via the use of force, even a weapon. Some weapon charges can be dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
- Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine dictates that you are permitted to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those who are in your dwelling. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the degree of force used needs to be proportionate to the threat.
- Stand Your Ground: An extension of the castle doctrine, the stand your ground law in Missouri states that you can use force and/or weapons to defend yourself, even outside of your home, as long as you are allowed permitted to be wherever you are.
- 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 stole a weapon that you knew was going to be misused. You could be charged with theft, but your actions were well-intended to prevent a greater harm.
- Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because you were forced 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. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.
Drexel, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Widely used self-defense weapons that you are permitted 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, the response be 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. Punishments for this crime are always on top of the penalties for the other felony, and 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, 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 a part of §563.031, RSMo 2016, which allows individuals to defend their dwelling, residence, or vehicle from aggressors, with no requirement 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 Drexel, 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 harm, 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 don’t have to to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they were not trespassing themselves.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Drexel?
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 Drexel?
People in Drexel, MO, can lose their Second Amendment rights 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 have been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
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.

Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Drexel, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible
Weapon crime allegations in Drexel are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense attorney for your case. You need Combs Waterkotte.
When you hire us, 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 resources and skills that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.
Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.