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Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Gower, MO

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Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Gower, MO. It’s not uncommon for somebody in MO to carry a weapon on themselves, even as simple as a pocket knife – the state’s gun & weapon laws allow for more freedom for possession and usage. But you can still face serious criminal charges if you improperly use a weapon.

Many weapons criminal charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. Without the help of a leading Gower weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could permanently throw your life off course for just protecting yourself and your family.

Protect your life. Defend your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, has defended over 10,000 cases. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.

Get in touch immediately 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

500+ Perfect

Legal Experience

Over 80 Years

Weapon Crime Defense Attorney | Gower, MO, Weapon Crime Defense


What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Gower, MO?

MO law sets regulations for both 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 require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federally-licensed dealers are required 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, most citizens are permitted to carry a gun, provided that:

  1. They do not bring it into schools, government offices, places of worship, or other restricted areas; and
  2. 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 uses are against the law. These actions mostly are ones that would put others’ wellbeing at risk, such as firing a gun near a school, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or using one while committing another crime.

One key thing to be aware of – while we’ve talked mostly about state restrictions above, MO allows for individual municipalities to set up their own more stringent laws regarding firearms and other weapons, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Gower laws, be sure to read your local laws and consult with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Gower, 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:

Other Weapon Laws in MO

Gower, 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, such as pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without any permits.

Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are categorized as deadly weapons. With this classification, even though they are not firearms, they generally have the same limitations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

Once again, though, as mentioned above with firearms, different localities can set different restrictions, so get in touch with a Gower weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a particular 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 Gower weapon crimes defense lawyer?



What to Look For in a Gower, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer

Cases Handled

Over 10,000

Jail Days Saved

Over 1 Million

Google Reviews

500+ Perfect

Legal Experience

Over 80 Years

When you need a Gower, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need someone who will leave no stone unturned, 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: Time in the courtroom gives defense attorneys real-world experience they can bring to your defense. Combs Waterkotte has extensive experience defending against weapon crime charges, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
  • Reputation: If you ask someone about their experience with your defense attorney, you’ll want to hear a glowing review. Combs Waterkotte has a distinguished reputation amongst previous clients, fellow attorneys, and professional organizations.
  • Resources: Some cases can be handled by just one attorney. But for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of elite individuals at your back.
  • Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, 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 an attorney without a plan. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. Our lawyers always build our cases as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Gower, MO

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

Here are some of the defense strategies we might use in your case against Gower, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

  • Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal accusations can be invalidated in many cases. In Missouri, you have the right 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 are invalidated if you were protecting another, as they would be with self-defence.
  • Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are permitted to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and others in your home. Caslet doctrine does not require you to retreat prior to defending yourself. However, the force you use needs to be proportionate to the threat.
  • Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri states 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: 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 your actions were well-intended 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. 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 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.

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Gower, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?

Widely used self-defense devices that are legal to use in Missouri include firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons. Some of these still face restrictions in their use, though.

Regardless of the weapon you use, though, keep in mind that 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 is not a standalone criminal charge, but an add-on to another felony. Any penalties from armed criminal action are on top of 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)

Additionally, 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, without first trying to retreat.

However, this does not give you permission to shoot someone that is not a threat to you. The use of deadly force is only justified when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”

What counts as self-defense in Gower, MO?

Missouri’s self-defense law allows 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 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, in Missouri, citizens do not have a duty to retreat from a threatening situation, as long as they were allowed to be in that spot in the first place.

How do I defend against weapons charges in Gower?

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 Gower?

Gower, MO residents can lose their Second Amendment rights 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?

While you are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures, 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 car is impounded.


Weapons Crime Defense Attorney | Gower, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense


Up Against Criminal Weapon Charges in Gower, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Immediately

Weapon crime charges in Gower are serious business. If the state is charging you with them, you need a leading weapon crimes defense attorney to protect your rights. 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 results-driven, and that means not stopping until we get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and skills that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Speak with a representative now at (314) 900-HELP or let us know your charges online for a free, confidential consultation.

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