Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Ivanhoe, MO. Weapons, both concealed and open carry, are popular in MO – 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 high portion of weapons criminal charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. Without the help of a leading Ivanhoe weapon crimes defense attorney, you could permanently throw your life off course for just forgetting to check your pockets.
Save your life. Defend your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapons crime defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.
Start your defence now 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
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Ivanhoe, MO?
MO law sets regulations for both firearms and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. Here’s an interesting example: MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, 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, most people are permitted to carry a firearm, so long as:
- They do not bring it into schools, government offices, places of worship, or other restricted areas; and
- They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.
In MO, you’re allowed to use your gun at the range and for self-defense, but several other uses are not legal. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one over a highway, or using one while committing another crime.
One quick note – although we focused on state regulations above, MO allows for individual localities to enforce their own restrictions regarding firearms and other weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Ivanhoe, be sure to go over your local statutes and consult with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.
Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Ivanhoe, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. 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 Weapon Laws in MO
It’s also important in MO to be aware of laws for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense weapons, such as pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without special permits.
Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are designated as deadly weapons. This means that even though they are not firearms, they often have the same limitations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.
However, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different municipalities can have more specific restrictions, so get in touch with a Ivanhoe weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a specific self-defense device.
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 before it’s too late:
| 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 Ivanhoe weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Ivanhoe, 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 Ivanhoe, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need a lawyer who will fight relentlessly for your rights, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.
When deciding on a defense attorney, keep in mind the following:
- Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Combs Waterkotte has substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience 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 clients, other law firms, and professional associations.
- Resources: Some cases can be handled by just one attorney. 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, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we don’t leave you in the dark with your case.
- Fearless 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 construct our defenses as if we’re going to trial, and prosecutors know that – giving us more leverage in plea negotiations.
Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Ivanhoe, MO
Weapon crimes can be defended in similar ways to many other criminal allegations. However, they are more likely to involve tactics like claiming self-defense, and cases can focus less on if you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”
Here are some of the defense strategies we might use in your defense against Ivanhoe, MO, weapon crimes charges:
- Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal charges 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 legally allowed to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and others in your home. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the degree of force used must be proportionate to the threat.
- Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of 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: Necessity applies to situations where you were forced to do something illegal in order to stop something worse. Perhaps you stole a weapon that you knew was going to be misused. You could be charged with theft, but preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
- Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because another person forced to do so, duress could be a valid excuse. 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: Some weapon crimes require intent to be guilty. For example, giving a blackjack to an underaged person without permission is illegal. However, if you honestly thought the person was older, you would not have had intent.
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Ivanhoe, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Typical self-defense items 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.
Regardless of the weapon you use, though, keep in mind 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 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 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, any penalties 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 dictates that you can use force to defend your 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 Ivanhoe, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law permits one to use force to defend against a threat, provided that 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, 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 Ivanhoe?
Common defense strategies in weapons cases include self-defense, the defense of others, castle doctrine, and stand your ground.
How can you lose your right to own a gun in Ivanhoe?
Ivanhoe, MO residents 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 domestic violence, regardless of whether it was a misdemeanor or a felony.
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 give them consent, if they are checking for their safety after an arrest, or if your car is impounded.
Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Ivanhoe, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away
Weapon crime allegations in Ivanhoe 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 attorney to defend you. 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 resources and expertice that defending these charges demands.
Protect your rights by calling us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
