How to Buy a Gun in Missouri

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As long as you're over 18 and not a convicted felon, you shouldn't have any trouble buying a gun in Missouri. The state doesn't have any licensing or background check requirements above and beyond those required by federal law. Nor do you have to take a gun safety course or have any particular training. You also don't need a permit to carry a concealed firearm, as of 2020, although you might want to get one if you want to carry your weapon concealed in another state. [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Licensed Dealers

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  1. Retail firearms stores all have federal licenses, as do many other dealers who sell guns for a living, even if they don't have a brick-and-mortar shop. Search online to find the gun stores nearest you. [2]
    • If you're looking for a particular specialty gun, you might want to call ahead and see if the store has it in stock before making the trip.
  2. The background check application requires both you and the dealer to provide information. For your part, enter identification information that matches the information on the valid, government-issued photo ID you present to the dealer to buy your gun. [3]
    • You'll also need to answer a series of questions about your criminal background. When you sign and date the application, you're certifying that you answered those questions honestly. Lying on the form is a felony under federal law.
    • Although you can download the form online and print it out to look at it, you can't fill it out in advance. You'll need to fill it out and sign it in the dealer's presence.
  3. Usually, you'll get the results of your background check back instantly. In some situations, it might take longer. The dealer will tell you the results and whether you need to wait for a final decision. [4]
    • The service is available by phone 17 hours a day, 7 days a week. There's also an electronic service that's available 24/7.
    • If your background check comes back "delayed," you'll typically find out the result within 3 business days. If it's denied, you can challenge it or file an appeal. Typically, the only reason it would be denied would be if you had been convicted of a felony. However, it's possible for a mistake to be made if your name and identification information are similar to someone else's. [5]
  4. Under Missouri law, if you pass the background check, the licensed dealer has to sell the gun to you — they can't just suddenly change their mind and decide they don't want to sell you a gun because they don't like something you said or the shirt you're wearing. After paying for the gun, you're free to take it home with you. [6]
    • There's no waiting period for buying any kind of firearm, which means you can take it home as soon as you complete the purchase. [7]
    • You'll need your own car to take your gun home — you can't bring it on public transportation. However, there's no reason you couldn't have a friend or family member drive you, or even use a rideshare. [8]
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Private Sellers

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  1. Private sellers are often at gun shows or flea markets. You can also search classified listings online or in your local newspaper to find people selling guns.
    • Missouri doesn't have any laws regulating gun shows, so those are generally good places to find private sellers. [9]
  2. Private sellers aren't required to conduct a background check before selling you a gun, so all you have to do is pay them their asking price. [10] Different private sellers may accept different methods of payment.
    • It's a good idea to get a bill of sale to memorialize the transaction. Since Missouri doesn't require you to register the gun, that's the only way you can prove ownership. [11]
  3. Since there's no waiting period in Missouri after you purchase a gun, you can take it home as soon as the transaction is complete. [12] Since you can't bring guns on public transportation, you'll usually need to be driving your own car. You could also get a ride from a friend or family member. [13]
    • Missouri also doesn't require a separate permit to carry a concealed weapon, so you can generally store it anywhere in your car as long as you're 19 years old or older. If you're 18, you can buy the gun, but you would need to carry it in your car exposed. [14]
    • Generally, it's a good idea to make sure your gun isn't loaded while you transport it.
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Concealed Carry Permit

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  1. As of 2020, Missouri doesn't require a concealed carry permit. If you are 19 (or 18 and in the military) and otherwise permitted to own a gun, you can carry that gun concealed. However, you might want a permit if you frequently travel to other states and want to carry your weapon concealed while there. Most states in the US recognize Missouri's concealed carry permit. [15]
    • Of the states that border Missouri, only Illinois doesn't recognize Missouri's concealed carry permit.
  2. To get a concealed carry permit, you need to complete a course conducted by an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association (NRA) that is at least 1 hour long. You can take your course in person or online. Most gun stores have information about courses available in your area. You can also check at a local shooting range. [16]
    • The course covers basic safety techniques and Missouri's laws relating to firearms.
    • You also need to complete a live-fire test in person.
    • If you don't complete the NRA course, you can take any other firearm safety course that's at least 8 hours in length.
  3. Depending on the size of your county sheriff's office, you might need to make an appointment to come in and apply for your concealed carry permit. A deputy might also be able to tell you the days of the week or weeks of the month that tend to be busier than others so you can plan accordingly.
    • You'll have to pay a $90 fee for your concealed carry permit, so ask the deputy what methods of payment they accept.
    • Some sheriff's departments recommend that you call at least 3 months in advance due to high demand for appointments and limited hours. [17]
  4. Most sheriff's offices have a digital copy of the form available for download from their website. It'll save you some time to print that form and fill it out in advance, but you can also get a copy at the sheriff's office and fill it out while you're there.
    • The form requires you to provide similar information as you did when you completed the background check, if you bought your gun from a licensed dealer. You also have to answer questions about your residency and criminal background.
  5. As of 2020, the total fees for a concealed carry permit are $90, which includes processing and fingerprint fees. Go to the sheriff's office in person to apply for your concealed carry permit. [18]
    • They'll take your fingerprints when you submit your application. The sheriff's deputy will look over your application and let you know if there are any issues that would cause you to be ineligible for a permit.
  6. Missouri is a "shall issue" state, which means you'll get a concealed carry permit provided you're eligible to own a firearm. Typically, you'll get your permit in the mail within 3 days of the date you applied. [19]
    • If you still haven't gotten your permit after a week, you might want to call the sheriff's office and let them know. They can check the status of your permit.
  7. You can carry a concealed firearm nearly anywhere in Missouri, with a few exceptions. However, even if you're in a place where concealed weapons aren't permitted, you can still carry a concealed weapon if you own or lease the property, if the firearm isn't readily accessible, or if you're hunting and also have an exposed firearm. Do not take a concealed weapon into any of the following places: [20]
    • A church or place of worship
    • Any election precinct on election day
    • Any federal, state, or local government building
    • Any school bus or location of a school function

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I sell and mail a firearm to Missouri?
    Francisco Pham
    Firearms Instructor
    Francisco Pham is a Firearms Instructor and the owner of Apex Pistol Training based in Maryland. Francisco has over 16 years of professional experience in competition shooting and firearms training. He is a highly skilled NRA-recommended firearm instructor and is an expert on firearm safety, usage, and maintenance.
    Francisco Pham
    Firearms Instructor
    Expert Answer
    To sell and mail a firearm to Missouri, begin by verifying compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local laws governing firearm sales and shipments. Once legal requirements are confirmed, negotiate terms with the buyer regarding the firearm's details and sale price. If the firearm is a handgun, it must be shipped through a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Find an FFL dealer in Missouri willing to receive the firearm on behalf of the buyer and proceed to transfer the firearm through them. Package the firearm securely to prevent damage during shipping and ensure compliance with carrier regulations. Check with the chosen shipping carrier for any specific firearm shipping requirements. Once shipped, notify the buyer with tracking information and an estimated delivery date. Upon arrival, the buyer must visit the designated FFL dealer in Missouri to complete the required background checks and paperwork for the transfer. Both seller and buyer must adhere to all applicable laws and maintain accurate records of the transaction. Following these steps ensures a legal and compliant sale and shipment of the firearm to Missouri.
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  • Question
    Can a non-Missouri resident purchase a firearm in Missouri?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    A nonresident can buy a firearm in Missouri. However, you would have to go through licensed dealers in Missouri and in your state of residence to transfer the gun across state lines.
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  • Question
    My permanent address is in St. Louis. However, I am staying in Kansas City for school. Would the easiest way to obtain the backround check be to just buy a fishing license for a day and use that?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    No. To get a background check, you need a government-issued photo ID with your permanent address on it. A fishing license doesn't have a photo or other identifying information so it isn't acceptable identification.
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      Tips

      • Gun theft is a big problem in Missouri, and as of 2020, gun owners aren't legally required to report the theft of their firearms. [21] For this reason, you're better off buying a gun from a licensed dealer than from a private seller, so you can be absolutely certain that the gun isn't stolen.
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      Warnings

      • You can't buy a gun in Missouri if you've been convicted of a felony, are a fugitive from justice, or have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court. [22]
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      • You can't possess a firearm in Missouri while intoxicated. [23]
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about firearm safety, check out our in-depth interview with Francisco Pham .

      References

      1. ↑ https://ago.mo.gov/get-help/programs-services-from-a-z/concealed-carry-reciprocity/
      2. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/gun-dealers-in-missouri/
      3. ↑ https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/4473-part-1-firearms-transaction-record-over-counter-atf-form-53009/download
      4. ↑ https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics
      5. ↑ https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/nics/national-instant-criminal-background-check-system-nics-appeals-vaf
      6. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/gun-dealers-in-missouri/
      7. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/waiting-periods-in-missouri/
      8. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/guns-in-vehicles-in-missouri/
      9. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/gun-shows-in-missouri/
      1. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/background-check-procedures-in-missouri/
      2. ↑ https://eforms.com/bill-of-sale/mo/missouri-firearm-bill-of-sale/
      3. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/waiting-periods-in-missouri/
      4. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/guns-in-vehicles-in-missouri/
      5. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/guns-in-vehicles-in-missouri/
      6. ↑ https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/missouri/
      7. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-missouri/
      8. ↑ https://www.jacksoncountysheriff.org/Divisions/Support-Services/Conceal-Carry-Permits
      9. ↑ https://www.jacksoncountysheriff.org/Divisions/Support-Services/Conceal-Carry-Permits
      10. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-missouri/
      11. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-missouri/
      12. ↑ https://www.americanprogress.org/article/weak-gun-laws-public-safety-concerns-state-missouri/
      13. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/firearm-prohibitions-in-missouri/
      14. ↑ https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/firearm-prohibitions-in-missouri/

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