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Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Polo, MO

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Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Polo, 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 that doesn’t mean that weapon crimes charges aren’t taken seriously.

A lot of 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 Polo weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Protect your rights. Defend your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading criminal defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, has a track record of positive outcomes for our clients. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome against your criminal weapons charges.

Start your defence now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free, confidential consultation.

Cases Handled

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Weapon Crime Defense Attorney | Polo, MO, Weapon Crime Defense


How Do Weapon Laws Work in Polo, MO?

MO law covers topics like purchase, possession, and use of guns and other weapons. These are all in addition to federal laws, which also set rules for weapons. One way they are different is this: MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federally-licensed dealers are required to perform one, meaning that you’ll still likely need to go through a background check when you purchase a firearm in MO.

In MO, lawful people are permitted to carry a self-defense weapon, so long as:

  1. They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., 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 allowed. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, firing one while intoxicated, or firing it into a building.

One quick note – although we focused on state regulations above, MO allows for individual municipalities to write their own laws regarding firearms and other weapons, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Polo laws, be sure to read your local statutes and connect with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Polo, 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:

Non-Firearm Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Polo, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Common self-defense tools, namely pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without any permits.

Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are labelled as deadly weapons. This means that even though they are not guns, they typically face the same regulations, and also have limitations on where they can be carried.

Once again, though, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different localities can have their own regulations, so reach out to a Polo weapons law expert if the law isn’t clear on a specific self-defense item.

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 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 Polo weapon crimes defense lawyer?



What to Look For in a Polo, 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 Polo, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need an attorney who will leave no stone unturned, 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 Polo defense attorney:

  • Experience: Time in the courtroom gives defense attorneys real-world experience they can bring to your defense. Our lawyers has a wealth of 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 former clients, fellow attorneys, and professional societies.
  • Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of practiced individuals at your back.
  • Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in maintaining open lines of communication with all of our clients, 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 attorneys always prepare our defenses as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Polo, 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 cases frequently have less to do with whether you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”

Below, we’ve listed common defense strategies our team might use in your case against Polo, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

  • Self-Defense: If you fired a gun in self-defense, related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you are allowed to take actions to defend yourself against imminent danger.
  • Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. Some weapon charges can be related to this in the same way that they can be related to self-defense.
  • Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine dictates that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and those in your home. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the degree of force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
  • Stand Your Ground: An extension of the castle doctrine, the stand your ground law in Missouri dictates 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 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: If you did not want to commit a crime, but someone forced you to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. 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: If you didn’t mean to break the law, depending on what exactly it was, a lack of intent can protect you from punishment. 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.

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Polo, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?

Normal self-defense tools which you can legally use in Missouri include firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons. Some of these still face restrictions in their use, though.

On a related note, 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. Punishments for this crime are always in addition to the penalties for the original 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, prison sentences added because of armed criminal action are ineligible for parole or probation.

What is the Castle Doctrine in Missouri?

Missouri castle doctrine is covered in §563.031, RSMo 2016, which permits the use of force to defend one’s dwelling, residence, or vehicle from aggressors, without needing to retreat.

However, this does not allow you to shoot someone for smaller crimes like tresspassion. Deadly force is only allowed when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”

What counts as self-defense in Polo, MO?

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

As a stand your ground state, in Missouri, 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 Polo?

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 Polo?

Polo, 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 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 car is impounded.


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


Need a Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer in Polo, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Immediately

Weapon crimes in Polo are not going to go away on their own. If the state is charging you with them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense attorney to protect your rights. You need Combs Waterkotte.

With us, you’re not just getting a law firm that will take the first deal offered and call it a day. Our team is entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and track record of success that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Protect your rights by calling us right away at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.

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