Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Waldo, MO. It’s not uncommon for somebody in MO to carry a weapon on themselves, even as simple as a pocket knife – 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.
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. If you don’t have a leading Waldo weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just protecting yourself and your family.
Secure your rights. Guard your freedom. Contact Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes 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 against your criminal weapons charges.
Start your defence 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
What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Waldo, MO?
MO law sets rules for the usage, ownership, and transfer of guns and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. One way they are different is this: MO does not require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federal law requires licensed dealers 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 individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, as 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 some other uses are not legal. These activities mostly are those that would endanger others, such as firing a gun near a school, firing one while intoxicated, or using one while committing another crime.
One quick note – although we focused on state laws above, MO allows for individual municipalities to enforce their own restrictions related to weapons, so to ensure you’re compliant with regulations in Waldo, be sure to go through your local regulations and connect with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.
Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Waldo, MO. Here are some of the most common types of cases that we’ve helped defend at Combs Waterkotte:
- 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
Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Waldo, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense weapons, including pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without any permits.
Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are designated as dangerous weapons. Because of this, even though they are not guns, they frequently have the same restrictions, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.
Once again, though, as mentioned above related to guns, different municipalities can have their own regulations, so get in touch with a Waldo weapons law expert if the law isn’t clear on a given 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 Waldo weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Waldo, 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 Waldo, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, choosing the right one can make all the difference – 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. Combs Waterkotte has considerable experience defending against weapon crime charges, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
- Reputation: When people talk about your lawyer, you want to hear good things. Combs Waterkotte has a phenomenal reputation amongst clients, other law firms, and professional bodies.
- 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: It’s important to work with a lawyer 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.
- Ferocious Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our lawyers always prepare our cases as if we’re going to trial, giving us a strong negotiating position.
Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Waldo, MO
Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. However, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and defensive strategies can focus less on whether you “did it” and more on whether what the defendant did was “justified.”
Here are some of the defense strategies our team might use in your defense against Waldo, MO, weapon crimes charges:
- Self-Defense: Weapons are frequently used in self-defense, and related criminal accusations can be invalidated in many cases. In Missouri, it’s legal to protect yourself from imminent danger.
- Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. 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. 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 related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri dictates 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: 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 your actions were well-intended to prevent a greater harm.
- Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but someone forced you 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.
-
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
Waldo, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Typical self-defense items that are legal to use in Missouri include firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons, although some face special restrictions.
Regardless of the weapon you use, though, keep in mind that when acting in self-defense, your 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 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, punishments added because of armed criminal action are not eligible for parole or probation.
What is the Castle Doctrine in Missouri?
Missouri castle doctrine is covered in §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 permitted when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Waldo, 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 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, in Missouri, citizens are not required to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they have a right to be in that location.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Waldo?
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 Waldo?
Waldo, 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 were convicted of domestic violence, even if it was a misdemeanor.
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.
Facing Weapon Crimes Charges in Waldo, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today
Weapon crime allegations in Waldo are serious business. If the state is charging you with them, you need a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer fight against the charges. You need Combs Waterkotte.
With us, you’re choosing a firm that doesn’t settle for the second-best outcome. Our team is results-driven, and that means not stopping until we get the best possible outcome for you. We have the resources and skills that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.
Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note online for a free, confidential consultation.
