Missouri
PermitlessMissouri concealed carry & gun laws.
Open carry, sensitive places, vehicle carry, reciprocity, and recent law changes — all in one place, with official sources cited.
Key facts
Open carry in Missouri
Constitutional carry for 19+ eligible adults since 2017-01-01 (SB 656 of 2016, enacted via legislative override). Optional Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) available — standard 5-year, plus extended 10-year, 25-year, and lifetime tiers.
Vehicle carry
Loaded handgun may be carried in a private vehicle without a permit by qualifying adults 19+. No statutory duty to inform.
Where you can't carry — sensitive places
These are the statutory locations where Missouri prohibits carry regardless of permit status. Federal facility bans (post offices, federal courthouses, etc.) apply on top of these.
- K-12 schools and school grounds
- Higher-education campuses (per institution policy)
- Polling places on election days (within 25 feet)
- Courthouses
- Detention facilities
- Police, sheriff, or highway patrol offices (without consent)
- Places of worship (without consent)
- Bars and establishments where 'liquor by the drink' is sold (without permission)
- Government buildings (most)
- Federal facilities (federal law)
Self-defense law
- Castle doctrine: Missouri recognizes castle doctrine — no duty to retreat in your home (and typically vehicle/workplace).
- Stand your ground: Missouri has a stand-your-ground law — no duty to retreat in any place you are lawfully present, when meeting the use-of-force criteria.
- Duty to inform on traffic stops: Not required by statute.
Recent law changes
- 2017-01-01 — Constitutional carry — SB 656 of 2016. Missouri became a permitless-carry state after the Legislature overrode Gov. Nixon's veto. Concealed Carry Permits remain available with expanded tiers (5/10/25-year, lifetime). Source →
Reciprocity — your Missouri permit elsewhere
A Missouri Concealed Carry Permit is honored in approximately 38 states. See the full list and travel-route planning on our Can I Carry tool.
Reciprocity — other states' permits in Missouri
Permitless carry since Jan 1, 2017 for 19+ eligible to possess. Missouri honors all state permits.
How to get a Missouri Concealed Carry Permit
See our Missouri permit guide for full process details: required class, fingerprinting, application form, fee, and processing time.
Next step
See where your permit travels.
Use our interactive Can I Carry map to plan trips across state lines — including states that recognize your permit, states that don't, and states with permitless carry for visitors.
Check reciprocity →Sources
Frequently asked
Do I need a permit to carry concealed in Missouri?
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No. Missouri is a permitless / constitutional carry state for residents and (in most cases) non-residents 19+ who are eligible to legally possess a firearm. A Concealed Carry Permit is still useful for reciprocity in other states, expedited NICS processing, and (in some states) school-zone exceptions.
Is open carry legal in Missouri?
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Constitutional carry for 19+ eligible adults since 2017-01-01 (SB 656 of 2016, enacted via legislative override). Optional Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) available — standard 5-year, plus extended 10-year, 25-year, and lifetime tiers.
Can I keep a loaded handgun in my car in Missouri?
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Loaded handgun may be carried in a private vehicle without a permit by qualifying adults 19+. No statutory duty to inform.
Where am I prohibited from carrying in Missouri?
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Statutory sensitive places in Missouri include: K-12 schools and school grounds, Higher-education campuses (per institution policy), Polling places on election days (within 25 feet), Courthouses, Detention facilities, and others. Federal facility bans (post offices, federal buildings, schools under GFSZA) apply on top.
Does Missouri have stand-your-ground or castle doctrine?
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Castle doctrine: yes. Stand your ground: yes. Duty to inform on traffic stops: not required.
What's the most recent Missouri gun law change?
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2017-01-01: Constitutional carry — SB 656 of 2016. Missouri became a permitless-carry state after the Legislature overrode Gov. Nixon's veto. Concealed Carry Permits remain available with expanded tiers (5/10/25-year, lifetime).
Where can I carry my Missouri permit?
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A Missouri Concealed Carry Permit is honored in approximately 38 other states. See our Can I Carry interactive map for the full state-by-state breakdown plus travel-route planning.