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McDonald County, MO

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Last Updated: April 15, 2025

Weapons crime attorney in McDonald County, MO. Facing charges of a weapons crime in McDonald County, MO? Don’t gamble with your future. A weapons crime conviction can impact your freedom, your career, and your reputation. You need a skilled and aggressive weapons crime attorney in McDonald County, MO who knows the system and how to protect your rights.

At Combs Waterkotte, we bring over 50 years of experience to every case we take on. Our criminal defense strategies have helped clients in McDonald County, MO and across Missouri achieve reduced charges, dismissals, and not-guilty verdicts in even the toughest gun and weapons cases.

Call our trusted McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorney as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We’ve successfully handled over 10,000 cases in McDonald County, MO and beyond—and we’re ready to fight for you.

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Article Summary

Weapons charges in McDonald County, MO can carry life-changing consequences, but Combs Waterkotte is here to help. Our aggressive, results-driven weapons crime attorneys serve clients throughout the McDonald County, MO area facing accusations involving guns, illegal possession, armed criminal action, or trafficking. We know how to push back against the prosecution and protect your rights. Read on to learn that when you work with us, we’ll help you:

  • Secure strong legal representation in McDonald County, MO from the very beginning.
  • Move quickly to avoid costly mistakes after an arrest.
  • Understand your legal rights and how to assert them.
  • Understand the different types of weapons crimes in McDonald County, MO and their legal implications.
  • Have a firm grasp of what’s at stake and how to minimize penalties.

Weapons Crime Attorney in McDonald County, MO: What Counts as a Weapons Crime in Missouri?

Our experienced McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorneys have seen it all—from minor infractions to serious felony gun cases. We have handled the following types of cases and more:

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the McDonald County, MO Area

Under Missouri Revised Statute § 571.070, possessing a firearm becomes illegal if:

  • You’re a convicted felon
  • You are underage
  • You belong to a group legally barred from owning firearms
  • You are violating federal firearm restrictions

If this is your first offense, it may be charged as a Class C felony—but with prior offenses, it can rise to a Class B felony, carrying much harsher penalties. Don’t risk your future. A skilled McDonald County, MO criminal defense attorney can evaluate your case and build a strong defense from day one.

Unlawful Use of a Weapon in in or Around McDonald County, MO

Unlawful use of a weapon is one of the most common weapons-related charges filled in the McDonald County, MO area, and it can occur under a wide range of circumstances, including:

  • Firing a gun in restricted areas, especially while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Flashing or brandishing a gun in a way that alarms or threatens others
  • Carrying a concealed weapon without legal authorization
  • Bringing a firearm into prohibited locations
  • Committing other crimes like burglary, assault, or drug distribution while armed
  • Using or owning weapons with illegal alterations or attachments

Depending on the details of your McDonald County, MO case, penalties range from a Class B misdemeanor, which carries up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines, to a Class A felony, with potential sentences of 10-30 years or even life in prison.

If you’ve been accused in McDonald County, MO, don’t wait. Contact or call a trusted Combs Waterkotte McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorney at (314) 900-HELP today to begin building your defense.

McDonald County, MO Armed Criminal Action

Armed criminal action occurs when a weapon is used or visibly displayed during the commission of a felony offense. While not a separate crime on its own in McDonald County, MO, this charge enhances penalties tied to underlying felonies such as:

Penalties include mandatory minimum sentences throughout Missouri:

  • 3 years for a first offense
  • 5 years for a second
  • 10 years or more for a third

Defaced Firearm Possession in McDonald County, MO

Owning a gun with a tampered serial number—known as a defaced firearm—can lead to serious trouble in McDonald County, MO. It’s a Class B misdemeanor, but the implications are long-term: it can permanently affect your gun rights and your record.

Unlawful Weapon Sales, Transfers, or Trafficking in or Around McDonald County, MO

In McDonald County, MO and anywhere else in Missouri, it is illegal to sell, lease, give, or otherwise transfer firearms to individuals who are legally barred from owning them. Common scenarios include:

  • Giving a firearm to a minor
  • Transferring a weapon to a felon
  • Failing to confirm eligibility before a sale

Depending on the facts of your case, you can face a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E felony. Don’t face these charges alone—a Combs Waterkotte McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorney can step in and fight for you.


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    Charged With a Weapons Crime in McDonald County, MO? Here’s What to Do

    If you’re under investigation or already facing charges in McDonald County, MO, it’s important to act fast:

    1. Stay calm and don’t speak with police or investigators before calling a lawyer.
    2. Contact our office immediately for a no-obligation case review.
    3. Let us review your case in McDonald County, MO, protect your rights, and start building your defense.

    Don’t wait—quick action can make all the difference. A knowledgeable McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorney at Combs Waterkotte can begin helping you from day one.

    Weapons Crime Attorney  McDonald County, MO | Leading Missouri Criminal Defense Law Firm | McDonald County, MO Criminal Defense Lawyers

    Weapons Crime Attorney in McDonald County, MO: Why You Need a Skilled Lawyer Right Away

    Weapons charges in McDonald County, MO carry life-changing consequences—from steep fines and incarceration to losing your right to own a firearm. But the right defense attorney can help change the course of your case.

    A trusted McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorney at Combs Waterkotte will:

    • Step in right away to protect your legal rights
    • Investigating the prosecution’s claims and gathering critical evidence
    • Exposing any unlawful actions by law enforcement
    • Working to get charged reduced—or dropped altogether
    • Taking Your Case to Trial if Needed

    We understand what’s at stake—and we’re here to fight for your second chance in McDonald County, MO.

    Weapons Crime Attorney in McDonald County, MO: Possible Legal Defenses

    At Combs Waterkotte, no two cases are alike—but our McDonald County, MO weapons crime defense team has successfully used a wide range of defenses to protect clients’ rights and freedom:

    • Self-Defense or Defense of Others Missouri has “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle Doctrine” laws, allowing you to use force—including deadly force—to protect yourself and others. Our weapons crime attorney in McDonald County, MO can work to prove your use of force was necessary given your reasonable fear of imminent threat.
    • Illegal Search or Seizure We can utilize this defense if the weapon was found during a search that violated your Fourth Amendment rights in McDonald County, MO, such as:
      • No warrant
      • No probable cause
      • An unlawful traffic stop
    • Lack of Intent or Knowledge This defense is useful in proving that you were unaware you were in possession of a weapon, like if it was planted in your possession or if someone else left it in your vehicle or home. You had no intent to use the weapon unlawfully.
    • Other Possible Defenses — Other valid defenses for your McDonald County, MO charges include alibi evidence showing that you were not in a location where you could be legally accused of having the weapon, entrapment, insufficient evidence, and mistaken identity.

    When you partner with a Combs Waterkotte weapons crime attorney in the McDonald County, MO area, you aren’t just hiring the ideal weapons crime defense team in McDonald County, MO and beyond – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with experienced weapons crime lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for McDonald County, MO residents:

    Weapons Crime Attorney in McDonald County, MO | Skilled Missouri Criminal Defense Lawyers | McDonald County, MO Weapons Defense Law Firm

    Charged With a Weapons Crime in McDonald County, MO?—Let Combs Waterkotte Fight for You

    When you’re up against a weapons charge in McDonald County, MO, you need experienced legal support from the start. At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys don’t wait—they act. From negotiating a strategic plea deal to taking your case to trial, we fight to protect everything you stand to lose—your rights, freedom, and future.

    Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a case review where you can get answers from a McDonald County, MO weapons crime attorney who cares.

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