Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Freeman, MO. MO is known as a pro-second amendment state – if you live in Missouri, you have a lot of options for legal weapons and self-defense tools. 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. On your own, without a leading Freeman weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just carrying a weapon in the wrong place.
Save your life. Defend your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert weapons crime defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We are committed to giving you the strongest defense possible and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.
Contact us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free, confidential consultation.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
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400+ Perfect
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What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Freeman, MO?
MO law sets regulations for both firearms and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. For example, MO does not address background checks in the sale or transfer of firearms, but federal law requires licensed dealers to perform one, meaning that if you want to buy a gun in MO, you should still be prepared for a background check.
In MO, lawful individuals are permitted to carry a self-defense weapon, provided that:
- In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
- Nothing has happened to lead that person to lose their right to carry a weapon.
In MO, you’re allowed to use your gun at the range and for self-defense, but certain activities are not allowed. These actions 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 quick note – so far, this page has mainly covered state laws above, MO allows for individual localities to set up their own more stringent laws related to weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Freeman, be sure to go over your local laws and ask a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.
Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Freeman, 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
Freeman, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Common self-defense weapons, namely pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without special permits.
Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are are more stringently regulated because they are labelled as deadly weapons. Because of this, even though they are not firearms, they typically are subject to the same restrictions, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.
However, as mentioned above with guns, different municipalities can have different regulations, so get in touch with a Freeman weapons law expert if the statute is unclear regarding a specific 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 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 Freeman weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Freeman, 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 Freeman, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need someone who will fight relentlessly for your rights, and won’t stop 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: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. Our lawyers has extensive experience defending weapon crimes cases, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
- Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a distinguished reputation amongst previous clients, fellow attorneys, and professional societies.
- 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 clients 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.
- Fearless Defense: If the case goes to trial, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. 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 Freeman, MO
Weapon crimes are, on a fundamental level, just like most other criminal allegations: You are charged, negotiate, and if necessary, go to trial. That said, they are more likely to involve tactics like claiming self-defense, and cases are often less about 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 Freeman, MO, weapon crimes allegations:
- Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you have the right to protect yourself from imminent danger.
- Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you can protect another via the use of force, even a weapon. Some weapon charges are invalidated if you were protecting another, as they would be with self-defence.
- Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those in your home. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the force you use must be proportionate to the threat.
- Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri determines 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: 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 you were 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 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.
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Freeman, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Widely used self-defense devices that you are permitted to use in Missouri include guns, 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 a part of §563.031, RSMo 2016, which permits the use of force to defend one’s dwelling, residence, or vehicle from aggressors, with no requirement to retreat.
However, this does not allow you to shoot someone for smaller crimes like tresspassion. Deadly force is only permitted when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Freeman, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law allows 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 when 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, 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 Freeman?
Common defense strategies for criminal weapon charges include self-defense, the defense of others, castle doctrine, and stand your ground.
How can you lose your right to own a gun in Freeman?
Freeman, MO residents 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 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 give them consent, if they are checking for their safety after an arrest, or if your vehicle is impounded.
Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Freeman, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today
Weapon crime allegations in Freeman are not going to go away on their own. And if you’re being charged with committing them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to defend you. You need Combs Waterkotte.
With us, you’re getting a team that is dedicated to fighting for your rights. Our team is entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means doing whatever we can to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and skills that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.
Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
