Missouri gun laws

[g-nome]

Real confused here. Looking through all the literature and searching on different boards like this one still am not very sure about some things. Can you help me out?

1) Are assault rifles legal in MO or not? (Pistol grip flash suppressor collapsing stock hi cap mag etc)
2) How long must you be a resident of MO prior to being able to purchase a firearm?
3) In what states (specifically MO) Can you purchase more than one firearm at one time whether long arm or pistolah?
4) What is needed to prove residency?--Of course, general question, not MO specific.
5) Okay so this background search. What's that? What's it do? I've heard this is not done in all states? Is that true? Like someone told me some states all you do is go into the store, pay for the gun and walk out with it right then and there.
6) Okay so you've legally purchased an assault rifle in an equally legal state. It's yours, you own it. Now can you take it with you to a non-legal state? What if someone else in a legal state bought it for you? Can you still take it to a banned state?

I'm a noob here just starting out in the firearms world so I know little of gun laws. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[longrifleman]

http://www.packing.org/

This is a good place to start. Go to the state link and keep searching. It will eventually get you to the state laws. You can also search the state website, but that will take some patience. Good luck.

 

[Technosavant]

Real confused here. Looking through all the literature and searching on different boards like this one still am not very sure about some things. Can you help me out?

1) Are assault rifles legal in MO or not? (Pistol grip flash suppressor collapsing stock hi cap mag etc)
2) How long must you be a resident of MO prior to being able to purchase a firearm?
3) In what states (specifically MO) Can you purchase more than one firearm at one time whether long arm or pistolah?
4) What is needed to prove residency?--Of course, general question, not MO specific.
5) Okay so this background search. What's that? What's it do? I've heard this is not done in all states? Is that true? Like someone told me some states all you do is go into the store, pay for the gun and walk out with it right then and there.
6) Okay so you've legally purchased an assault rifle in an equally legal state. It's yours, you own it. Now can you take it with you to a non-legal state? What if someone else in a legal state bought it for you? Can you still take it to a banned state?

I'm a noob here just starting out in the firearms world so I know little of gun laws. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

OK, here's answers for MO.

1) Yup. Bring us your eeeeeeeevil rifles. We like them here.
2) Don't remember. There are differences between long guns and "concealable" firearms. The "concealable" variety require a permit to require (available from your local sheriff for $10 and a 7 days wait, max). To get a CCW permit, you need only be a resident for 6 mo., so buying the guns should be much less, if at all. For long guns, you can buy them and take them home right there.
3) Long guns- as many as you like. Handguns- I don't know if you need a separate PTA for each one (I believe so), but I don't know of any limits on number.
4) Driver's license is fine. To get one, you will need a birth certificate and a utility bill or some other thing like that to prove MO residency, but in a gun store or the sheriff's dept (for the PTA), the DL works.
5) ANY gun requires an NICS check at the store itself. Done quickly with a phone call. Like I said, handguns require a special permit to acquire, and you fill out a form at the sheriff's dept. and they will run your background check there.
6) I rather doubt it.

 

[g-nome]

Hey wow thanks you guys. I'd be lost without you. I try the best I can to find stuff on my own but often times am left in a swarming sea of unknowns. But what really IS stuff one might find on their own? That seems contrived doesn't it? I mean everyone alive today has found something out from SOMEONE else it's just simply a matter of how DIRECTLY the person found it. Like here; I'm asking you direct, apparently some people have a problem with that. (Not talking about you two). hah-ha LOL I went on a bit of a rant there but anyway.

THANKS SO MUCH.

 

[Technosavant]

There's nothing wrong with pointing you to packing.org- lots of good info there. However, it can take quite a while to find what you want. There's a number of us here from the Show-Me state, and we'll help as we can.

BTW, I looked it up in my handy ATF book. MO does require 6 month residency before issuing a permit to acquire a concealable weapon (handgun). Note that this permit to acquire is NOT a permit to carry; they are two wholely separate things. We are trying to get the PTA thing stopped, but the effort for that is still pretty early on. We need to get the word out that the NICS check already fulfills this requirement, and does so in a more thorough manner.

There is no residency requirement for long guns, and the state specifically prohibits local preemption of state laws (so KC and STL cannot enact laws more stringent than the state). Things are getting better here.

 

[g-nome]

There's nothing wrong with pointing you to packing.org- lots of good info there. However, it can take quite a while to find what you want. There's a number of us here from the Show-Me state, and we'll help as we can.

Oh-no wait, sorry. Didn't mean that. I didn't in anyway want to demean what
longrifleman had to say or their input or the link suggestion. Not at all. Wasn't talking about longrifleman altogether. Just, some other people. So no, thanks go to both of yas.

There is no residency requirement for long guns, and the state specifically prohibits local preemption of state laws (so KC and STL cannot enact laws more stringent than the state). Things are getting better here.

Okay now that sounds interesting . . . . If I'm understanding correctly, ANYONE from ANYWHERE can buy a long arm from MO? (provided they are legally able to do so) You don't even have to be a resident? So, for instance, I'm in Nevada and take a three week trip there, I don't even need a driver's license or what? I DON'T think my undestanding is correct on that one.

One more thing; you can just pay for and pick several long guns all at once?

Hey and thanks again.

 

[Kamicosmos]

No, you can't travel from Nevada to buy a rifle in Mo. Can't do that anywhere in the country, actually. You CAN do that in neighboring states (otherwise you have to have the gun shipped back to a gun store in your state of residence). Common example is Mo/KS. I have bought firearms in Kansas alot. Long guns I can take home, just like in MO. But, handgun, I still have to get a PTA and the gun has to be transfered to a gun store in MO before I can take possesion of it. Quite the impulse-buy killer, eh? That little process can add a few days to the purchase, quite a Pain in The A$$ Heh, little acronym joke for us MO residents there.

So, are you a MO resident? Or are you thinking of moving here?

Oh, also, www.missouricarry.com is a very good community for MO residents in regards to CCW and MO Gun laws. Lots of THR members are over there too.

 

[g-nome]

Hah thanks Kamicosmos.

I didn't think my description was accurate whatsoever but had to ask anyway to be sure.
So otherwise, you must obtain a driver's license there? Is that the only requirement to start buying long guns? Cuz I MIGHT be staying there longer . . . i.e; long enough to get a driver's license.

One more thing what's the NICS check? How long does that take?

I think this question went unnoticed; is there any limit to how many long guns you can purchase at A SINGLE TIME in MO?

So the neighboring state thing what’s that deal? This applies to all states? So long as the firearm is legal in your home state all you have to do is drive over pay for it there and drive back with it?--No sending it back to a dealer first?

Thanks a lot for the info yet again. I apologize for all the questions as you can tell I know next to nothing about any of this and really have no one else to ask nor am I able to interpret the laws very well.

 

[proud2deviate]

My PTA came through in about ten minutes. Is this seven to ten days thing common in Missouri?

To the original poster; Hi there! First off, let me help you out a little with your terminology. The phrase "assault rifle" is generally used to describe a select fire/fully automatic firearm. The term "assault weapon" is a made-up phrase used to define a semi-automatic firearm that looks scary. No big deal, really. The confusion is intentional.

Missouri does not currently have any sort of assault weapons ban that I am aware of. With the somewhat recent expiration of the federal ban, Missourians can add all the evil black goodies they want,

Pistol grip flash suppressor collapsing stock hi cap mag etc)

as long as they don't violate the NFA. (My phrasing might be off, or I might be dead wrong. IANAL. . .) Silencers/supressors/low signature systems are illegal as a matter of state law. For us peons, anyways. . .


EDIT- For me, the NICS check was pretty painless. The dealer calls in to the system, reads off the information you just filled out on the form, and gets an answer as to whether you're okay to buy. I was out the door in less than fifteen minutes, and there was a guy in line ahead of me.

If there's any limit to the amount of long guns a person can purchase in one go, I sure as hell dson't know nothing about it. I haven't heard or read anything to that effect. Of course, it never occured to me to ask, either.

Now, if you want to buy medicine for your runny nose, you're limited to a certain amount of psudeoephedrine. . .

 

[g-nome]

If there's any limit to the amount of long guns a person can purchase in one go, I sure as hell dson't know nothing about it.

WOW

Now, if you want to buy medicine for your runny nose, you're limited to a certain amount of psudeoephedrine. . .

Thanks proud2deviate

So does anyone else know about MO laws on residency--IS the only thing required to buy long guns in MO a MO driver's license?

And the thing about purchasing in a neighboring state. Would that type of purchase/transaction be no different than buying a gun in your own (home) state?


The merciful patience here is astounding

 

[Kamicosmos]

You just need a form of ID with your current address on it. If buying a handgun, and you're not a resident of MO, the gun is transfered to your home state, where any background checks or permits need to be obtained before you pick up the handgun, along with a NICS check. Some states (MT for example) allow a CCW holder to 'skip' the NICS check. MO doesn't allow this though, so we all get to have Double Background checks run any time we buy a handgun.)

For a long gun, again, ID with current address and a NICS check.

I think in MO you have to have been a resident for 6 months before you can get a driver's licence. I would imagine that you would also have to be a resident for 6 months before you can get a PTA. That might not be a law, but since the CCW permit requires 6 months, I would imagine they'll enforce it for a purchase permit as well.

I don't know of an actual State limit on long or hand gun purchases at one time. I have heard that if you buy more than 2 guns, the Dealer has to fill out an additional form for the ATF. I don't know, because I have never bought more than one gun at a time. I did watch a friend buy two handguns (in KS, he's a KS res) and they just filled out two yellow sheets, and called them both in to NICS on one call. (in MO, you would need a PTA for each handgun you buy, at the tune of $10 each and anywhere from 10 minutes to 7 working days processing time, depending on your county's politics.)

I'm starting to think you must be coming here for College, correct? If that is the case, you're really better off not messing with buying guns here. Just buy them back home on summer vacation. Your address has to be your permanent address. A school address may not fly with whatever county you are getting the PTA from. Just an FYI...

 

[g-nome]

No, I'm going to be spending some time in MO, staying with a family member. The reason I say 'might be staying longer than a few weeks' is cuz I'm pondering permanently moving in over there. I just wasn't too keen on what MO's laws are and basically wondered how long it would take before I could resume purchasing long arms as opposed to handguns. And equally as important what all exactly is required in the way of documentation (or whatever) in order to purchase long guns.
Could I ask THEM (family member) to hand over MY cash to pay for a long gun and THEY give it to me (still registered in THEIR name of course)? Or is that not legal?

Since we're talking about it--One more thing; how does one go about transferring a firearm from one person's name to their own name? How much does that cost?

Jeeze, thanks I'd give you all a round if I could

 

[Technosavant]

My PTA came through in about ten minutes. Is this seven to ten days thing common in Missouri?

The sheriff can take up to 7 days. In St. Charles County, they shove it in a file drawer for 7 days, even though they could do it in 30 seconds.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Could I ask THEM (family member) to hand over MY cash to pay for a long gun and THEY give it to me (still registered in THEIR name of course)? Or is that not legal?

What you described there is called a straw purchase. Violates state and federal firearms laws.

One more thing; how does one go about transferring a firearm from one person's name to their own name? How much does that cost?

In MO, when transferring a handgun to someone else, you need a PTA, $10. Technically, even if a husband loans his wife a gun for a day, there is supposed to be a PTA involved because a handgun was transfered between people. PTAs don't recognize marriage, friendship, blood relations, gifts, boating accidents, etc.

Now, there is a statue of limitations of 1 year on the PTA and you don't have to get PTAs for all your guns when moving into MO from another state (cause it's not supposed to be a registration system). So...like...Ya know, if you ... uh....read between the lines there and stuff...

(IANAL, YMMV, etc etc, yada yada and other internet legal disclaimers go here.)

 

[g-nome]

What you described there is called a straw purchase. Violates state and federal firearms laws.

Uh-oh wait a minute. ALL the guns I have AREN'T registered in my name. Like a .25 pocket gun, a .22 rifle and two shotguns in fact. The .25 came from my g-ma. The .22 was originally my father's which ended up with my g-pa which then was given to me. The two 12 gauges were both from my mother. So what's the situation there?

And side note: How would BATF or whoever know that the gun you have in your possession wasn't just a private party transaction with none of the paperwork involved? Like what you're describing as a "straw purchase" would that be no different than private party? Or am I not understanding how private transactions work?

Am I legal or illegal? Crap!

 

[Technosavant]

Guns handed down from one person to another is a gift or inheritance. No problem there (usually). Guns which are purchased at the direction of another, with the money of another, and then given to another, when that "other" person is unable for whatever reason (residency, criminal history, etc.) to purchase that firearm themselves is considered a straw purchase, and therefore, is HIGHLY illegal, and will get you and the purchaser into LOTS of trouble.

There is a very fine line between a firearm which is a gift and one which is a straw purchase, and that line usually follows the idea of being legally able to purchase it yourself. If you are able to do so, if the ATF looks into it, I wouldn't expect horrible amounts of trouble (but still, it isn't worth not buying it yourself- might as well spoil the surprise and save the hassle). If you are not able to do so, then DON'T.

 

[g-nome]

Guns handed down from one person to another is a gift or inheritance. No problem there (usually). Guns which are purchased at the direction of another, with the money of another, and then given to another, when that "other" person is unable for whatever reason (residency, criminal history, etc.) to purchase that firearm themselves is considered a straw purchase, and therefore, is HIGHLY illegal, and will get you and the purchaser into LOTS of trouble.

There is a very fine line between a firearm which is a gift and one which is a straw purchase, and that line usually follows the idea of being legally able to purchase it yourself. If you are able to do so, if the ATF looks into it, I wouldn't expect horrible amounts of trouble (but still, it isn't worth not buying it yourself- might as well spoil the surprise and save the hassle). If you are not able to do so, then DON'T.

Phew! *Wiping-my-backside-of-the-gross-inordinate-and-inane-presperation/condensation-accumulate-originating-from-brow then-seeping-into-pants-all-too-commonly-experienced-world-wide*
Ayi Yi! I was a little scurd there a minute. Okay.
Alright, no, my situation in the firearm acquisition department had NOTHING to do with “straw purchasing” Good. I’m safe.

Thanks again techno for your info.

 

[cropcirclewalker]

Yo, Mr. g-nome, welcome to THR.

So, exactly which "assault rifle" are you interested in purchasing?
So, exactly how many "assault rifles" are you intending to buy all at once?
So, exactly what other state are you planning on taking these "assault rifles" to?
So, exactly what is the famililiar connection of the person whom you wish to do the straw purchases for you?

Seriously, if you are not a troll I don't know what you are out to prove. Nobody on this forum has suggested to you that you do anything that is unlawful.

Nobody here has suggested that you violate any of the nauseating unconstitutional laws that have been placed as impediments to law abiding citizens in the aquisition of firearms.

Nobody here on this forum has suggested that you should break any of the disgusting laws passed by our disgusting rulers that were intended to deprive the citizens of this great country from manifesting their God given rights to self defense.

If I have misread your intentions then I apologize.

If you are trying to get us here to propose doing something unlawful to you, I suggest you go back to DU.

Like I said, If I am wrong, I apologize.

 

[KenpoTex]

g-nome,

After reading through this thread, it appears that these other gentlemen have answered your questions thoroughly and accurately. If you want further clarification I would suggest that you check the laws for yourself (always a good practice anyway since someone may inadvertently give you bad info.).

You can find Missouri's weapons laws here:
http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/chapters/chap571.htm

If you look through this chapter you will find everything you need to know about possession, transfer, and carry of weapons in the state of MO.