Missouri does not require a state background check for private firearm transfers between Missouri residents. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section 922...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Missouri does not require a state background check for private firearm transfers between Missouri residents. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section 922 requires a NICS check only for transfers conducted by a federally licensed dealer (FFL). A private transfer between two Missouri residents who are not prohibited persons is lawful without a NICS check.
The transferor in a private sale should still:
Interstate transfers (Missouri seller to non-Missouri buyer or vice versa) must go through an FFL in the recipient's state under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a)(3) and 922(a)(5).
Federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8) and 922(g)(9) prohibits firearm possession by:
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 expanded the dating-partner reach of these prohibitions. The 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Rahimi upheld the Section 922(g)(8) prohibition.
Missouri's own framework at Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 455 provides for protective orders that may include firearm restrictions, and Section 571.070 prohibits firearm possession by persons subject to qualifying state protective orders.
A CCP issued before these prohibitions attached is subject to suspension or revocation under Section 571.114 when the prohibition is triggered.
Missouri law under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.070.1(2) prohibits firearm possession by a person who has been involuntarily committed to a mental institution within the past five years. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(4) extends the federal prohibition indefinitely.
A person with a voluntary inpatient stay, outpatient mental health treatment, or other non-involuntary mental health history is not prohibited under either statute. A diagnosis alone, without an adjudication of incompetence or an involuntary commitment, does not trigger the prohibition.
A Missouri resident who was involuntarily committed and has now completed the five-year waiting period may apply for restoration of state firearm rights through circuit court under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.070.4. The federal prohibition under Section 922(g)(4), however, is harder to lift; the petitioner must file a separate petition for relief from disability with the U.S. Department of Justice (currently subject to administrative limits in funding).
A person convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction is a prohibited person under both Missouri and federal law. Possession of a firearm is a federal felony under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(1) and a Missouri felony under Section 571.070.1(1).
Missouri provides a path to restoration of state firearm rights through gubernatorial pardon under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 217.800 or through application to the circuit court under specific statutes for limited offenses. The federal prohibition under Section 922(g)(1) requires a separate federal pardon or restoration of civil rights with explicit firearm restoration.
A Missouri pardon that explicitly restores firearm rights is generally accepted as restoring state-law rights. The federal effect is more complex; consult counsel.
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Reserves, or the National Guard, age 18 or older, may carry concealed under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.030.3 even though the general eligibility age is 19. The same age reduction applies for CCP eligibility under Section 571.101.
Active duty members may also receive consideration of military training in lieu of part or all of the eight-hour CCP training course under Section 571.111.6.
Veterans honorably discharged from any branch of the Armed Forces, age 18 or older, may carry concealed under the same age reduction. Veterans may also receive consideration of military training and fee waivers at the discretion of the issuing sheriff.
The CCP application typically requires presentation of a DD-214 to claim these benefits.
Missouri does not have a specific carve-out for religious officials. A pastor, priest, rabbi, or other religious official may carry concealed in a church only with the consent of the church's authorized representative (in many cases, the official themselves can authorize). Section 571.107.1(16) requires consent of the minister or other authorized person on behalf of the religious organization.
Many Missouri churches have adopted policies that authorize designated armed security teams. These teams typically operate under both the consent of the religious body and the requirements of the relevant state and federal law.
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.107.1(17) prohibits carry in sports arenas or stadiums with a seating capacity of 5,000 or more. This reaches:
Smaller venues (high school sports, minor league baseball, local college games with smaller stadiums) are not covered by this category but may be covered by Section 571.107.1(13) posting.
A CCP does not authorize hunting. Hunting requires a separate hunting license from the Missouri Department of Conservation under Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 252. Hunting laws are enforced by Conservation agents independently of the criminal carry framework.
A CCP holder who is also a hunter may carry concealed for personal protection while hunting, subject to:
A federally licensed dealer (FFL) operating in Missouri must comply with both federal and state law. The federal requirements include:
State law adds:
A CCP holder who purchases from an FFL benefits from the ATF Brady Permit Chart status (NICS skipped for the holder's purchase).
Several commercial services provide legal defense funding for self-defense incidents. These are not state-affiliated. Major providers include U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), U.S. LawShield, and CCW Safe. Coverage, fees, and reputation vary; the carrier should evaluate independently.
The mandatory attorney fees provision at Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 563.074 provides some financial protection for a defender who is sued civilly and successfully asserts immunity, but the protection operates after the fact. Pre-incident legal defense insurance fills the gap.
Federal law prohibits firearm carry in:
A Missouri CCP does not provide an exemption from any of these federal prohibitions.
A CCP holder may carry concealed in the public lobby and parking areas of federal facilities not listed in Section 930. The Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, for example, are generally not Section 930 facilities and CCP holders may carry; the VA has its own internal policies that may differ.
The Coburn Amendment to the Credit CARD Act of 2009 (effective February 2010) authorized concealed carry in national parks and national wildlife refuges subject to the law of the state in which the park is located. In Missouri, this means:
Individual federal buildings within parks (visitor centers, ranger stations) remain off-limits under 18 U.S.C. Section 930.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.030 | Unlawful use of weapons; constitutional carry |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.070 | Prohibited persons (state law) |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.070.4 | Restoration of state firearm rights |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.101 | CCP issuance |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.107 | Prohibited locations |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.111 | Training |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 571.114 | Suspension/revocation |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 455 | Adult abuse and protective orders |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 252 | Hunting and Conservation |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 217.800 | Gubernatorial pardon |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 563.031 | Use of force |
| Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 563.074 | Civil and criminal immunity |
| 18 U.S.C. Section 922 | Federal firearm laws |
| 18 U.S.C. Section 930 | Federal facilities prohibition |
| 49 U.S.C. Section 46505 | TSA secure airport area |
This section reflects Missouri law as of May 2026.
This page covers one part of our Missouri concealed carry guide.
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