Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Weatherby Lake, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – 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, and a conviction could put you behind bars for years. If you don’t have a leading Weatherby Lake weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just carrying a weapon in the wrong place.
Protect your rights. Guard your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, knows how to protect you. We are committed to giving you the strongest defense possible and will fight to get you the best possible outcome against your criminal weapons charges.
Contact us 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
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Weatherby Lake, MO?
MO law sets regulations for both firearms and other deadly 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 federally-licensed dealers are required to perform one, meaning that most MO gun transfers still require a background check.
In MO, lawful individuals are permitted to carry a gun, provided that:
- 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 allowed. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, firing one over a highway, or using one while committing another crime.
One thing to note before we move on – although we focused on state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to write their own laws related to weapons, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Weatherby Lake laws, be sure to go over your local statutes and connect with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.
Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO
While there are a variety of weapons charges you can face in Weatherby Lake, MO, here are criminal allegations that Combs Waterkotte specializes in defending:
- 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 Types of Weapon Laws in MO
It’s also important in MO to be aware of laws for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense instruments, such as pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without any permits.
Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are designated as dangerous weapons. With this classification, even though they are not guns, they frequently are subject to the same regulations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.
Once again, though, as mentioned above related to guns, different municipalities can set different restrictions, so get in touch with a Weatherby Lake weapons law expert if the law isn’t clear on a particular self-defense implement.
MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:
When you’re up against weapon crimes allegations in MO, there’s no time to mess around. 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 Weatherby Lake weapon crimes defense lawyer?
What to Look For in a Weatherby Lake, 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 hiring a Weatherby Lake, MO, weapon crimes defense attorney, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need an attorney who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.
When deciding on a defense attorney, keep in mind the following:
- Experience: Time in the courtroom gives defense attorneys real-world experience they can bring to your defense. Our lawyers has extensive experience defending weapon crimes cases, 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 prestigious reputation amongst former 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 practiced individuals on your side.
- Approach: It’s important to work with a lawyer who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we make sure you know what we’re working on with your case.
- Ferocious Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. Our attorneys always build 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 Weatherby Lake, 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 frequently have less to do with whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”
Here are some of the defense strategies our team might use in your defense against Weatherby Lake, MO, weapon crimes allegations:
- Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal accusations can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, it’s legal to defend yourself against 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 other people who are in your dwelling. 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 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 preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
- Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because someone forced you to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. 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: 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 a person under the age of 18 is illegal without their parents’ permission. But if you truly believed that the person was over 18, you would not have had intent to break the law.
Weatherby Lake, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs
What self-defense weapons are legal in Missouri?
Widely used self-defense weapons which you can legally use in Missouri include firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons, although some face special restrictions.
On a related note, 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 involves the use of a deadly weapon while committing another felony. Any penalties from armed criminal action are in addition to the penalties for the related felony, and 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, 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 a part of §563.031, RSMo 2016, which dictates that you can use force to defend your 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. Deadly force is only permitted when facing “the use or imminent use of unlawful force.”
What counts as self-defense in Weatherby Lake, MO?
Missouri’s self-defense law allows 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 in cases where it is used to protect oneself (or others) from harm, when one is unable or not required to retreat, or to protect one’s home/vehicle.
As a stand your ground state, Missouri states that citizens do not have a duty to retreat from a threatening situation, so long as they were not trespassing themselves.
How do I defend against weapons charges in Weatherby Lake?
Common defense strategies for criminal weapon charges include self-defense, the defense of others, castle doctrine, and stand your ground.
How can you lose your right to own a gun in Weatherby Lake?
People in Weatherby Lake, MO, can lose their Second Amendment rights in a few ways:
- 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 misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
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 consent, if they are checking for their safety after an arrest, or if your car is impounded.

Up Against Criminal Weapon Charges in Weatherby Lake, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible
Weapon crime allegations in Weatherby Lake are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you need a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer for your case. You need Combs Waterkotte.
When we take the case, you’re getting a team that is dedicated to fighting for your rights. Our team is results-driven, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the experience and expertice that are needed when you’re up against weapon crimes charges.
Get a hold of us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.