Image

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer North Kansas City, MO

Verified Content

Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, North Kansas City, MO. MO is known as a pro-second amendment state – the state’s gun & weapon laws allow for more freedom for possession and usage. But even when you act in self-defense, you’re facing a mountain of scrutiny and have to show your innocence.

Several weapon crime 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 North Kansas City weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Secure your rights. Preserve your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert criminal 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 against your criminal weapons charges.

Get in contact immediately 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

Weapon Crime Defense Attorney | North Kansas City, MO, Weapon Crime Defense


What Do Weapon Laws Cover in North Kansas City, MO?

MO law sets regulations for both 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. Here’s an interesting example: MO does not address background checks in the sale or transfer of firearms, but federal law requires licensed dealers to conduct one, meaning that most MO gun transfers still require a background check.

In MO, lawful citizens are permitted to carry a firearm, so long as:

  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 not legal. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as threatening someone with a firearm, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or firing it into a building.

One important point – while we’ve talked mostly about state restrictions above, MO allows for individual municipalities to enforce their own restrictions regarding firearms and other weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in North Kansas City, be sure to check your local regulations and connect with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

While there are a variety of weapons charges you can face in North Kansas City, MO, here are some of the most common types of cases that we’ve helped defend at Combs Waterkotte:

Other Weapon Laws in MO

North Kansas City, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense tools, including pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without special permits.

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

Once again, though, as mentioned above related to firearms, different municipalities are allowed to establish more specific restrictions, so don’t be afraid to ask a North Kansas City weapons law expert if you don’t know the rules a specific self-defense device.

MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:

If you’re up against allegations for weapons crimes in MO, you need to call an attorney right away. 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 North Kansas City weapon crimes defense lawyer?



What to Look For in a North Kansas City, 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 need a North Kansas City, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need someone who will leave no stone unturned, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.

Below, we’ve listed the important qualifications you should watch out for when hiring a North Kansas City defense attorney:

  • Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Our firm has substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience 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 phenomenal reputation amongst previous clients, fellow attorneys, 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 elite individuals at your back.
  • Approach: It’s important to work with a lawyer 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.
  • 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’s been in this situation before. Our lawyers always construct 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 North Kansas City, MO

Weapon crimes are, on a fundamental level, just like most other criminal allegations: You are charged, negotiate, and if necessary, go to trial. However, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and defenses can focus less on whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

Below, we’ve listed common defense tactics our team might use in your defense against North Kansas City, 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, 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 can be dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
  • Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine says that you are allowed to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and those in your home. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
  • Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri determines 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 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: 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. However, if you honestly thought the person was older, you would not have had intent.

  • Protect Your Life

    Image

    Protect Your Life

    A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.

    Reach Out Now

  • Know Your Next Steps

    Image

    Know Your Next Steps

    Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.

    Stay Informed

  • Title

    Image

    Ready to Talk to an Expert?

    Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.

    Get Started


North Kansas City, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?

Typical self-defense tools 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.

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 technically a felony in and of itself, but only occurs when allegedly committing another felony. Punishments for this crime are always in addition to the penalties for the other felony, and the sentence depends on whether the person has a criminal history 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, any penalties added because of armed criminal action are ineligible for parole or probation.

What is the Castle Doctrine in Missouri?

Missouri castle doctrine is dictated by §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 North Kansas City, MO?

Missouri’s self-defense law permits 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 if it is used to protect oneself (or others) from harm, when one is unable or not required to retreat, or to defend one’s home/vehicle.

As a stand your ground state, Missouri law makes it so that citizens are not required to retreat from a threatening situation, as long as they have a right to be in that location.

How do I defend against weapons charges in North Kansas City?

Common defense strategies for criminal weapon charges 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 North Kansas City?

North Kansas City, MO residents can lose their right to bear arms 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 domestic violence, regardless of whether it was a misdemeanor or a felony.
Can police search your car for weapons without a warrant?

Law enforcement cannot search your car under normal circumstance, but, police can still search your car for weapons if they have probable cause, if you consent, if you’ve been arrested and they are securing the area, or if your car is impounded.


Weapons Crime Defense Attorney | North Kansas City, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense


Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in North Kansas City, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

Weapon crime allegations in North Kansas City are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer for your case. You need Combs Waterkotte.

When you hire us, 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 resources and track record of success that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.

Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or let us know your charges online for a free, confidential consultation.

Open Video
Image

Featured Results:

Client Review, DUI Case

Play video
Image

Get In Touch:

St. Louis

Main Office

(314) 900-HELP

Get Directions

Clayton

By Appointment Only

(314) 900-HELP

Get Directions

Kansas City

By Appointment Only

(913) 77-CRIME

Get Directions