You can legally carry a handgun in Missouri without a license. But there are rules

Missourians can carry a gun openly or concealed in the majority of the state without any special permits. But there are some restrictions in federal, state and local laws that rein in exactly who can carry them and where.

Missouri is well known as a pro-gun state , with many of its legislators earning “A” grades from the National Rifle Association on their firearm-friendly stances. The state places very few restrictions on the sale, possession and carry of guns — but the limits that do exist impact Kansas City.

Here’s a closer look at the firearms laws that guide where guns can go in Missouri.

What do Missouri’s laws say about carrying guns?

Missouri places very few restrictions on firearm possession and takes pains to override all local laws regarding firearms that aren’t explicitly laid out in state law already.

“The general assembly hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of legislation touching in any way firearms, components, ammunition and supplies to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance or regulation by any political subdivision of this state,” a 2014 law reads.

The state only bans the possession of machine guns, short barreled rifles and shotguns if that possession is “ in violation of federal law .”

The National Firearms Act of 1934 requires machine gun owners to register their weapons with the U.S. Treasury Department. You can learn more about the federal requirements for registering, buying and selling guns on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ website.

Who can carry a gun in Missouri?

Federal law prohibits those under age 18 from possessing handguns or handgun ammunition. However, there are some exceptions for employment, farm work, hunting, target practice, military service and self defense.

The state of Missouri itself only places restrictions on firearm possession for people convicted of felonies, “fugitives from justice,” those “habitually” under the influence of drugs or alcohol and those deemed mentally incompetent.

What do Missouri’s laws say about carrying guns in cities?

One of the only concessions Missouri makes to municipalities like Kansas City is allowing them to require a state permit to carry firearms openly in public.

Here’s where it gets a little confusing: Missouri issues concealed carry permits to those aged 19 and above — or 18 if you’re in the military. While this permit is no longer required to carry concealed weapons anywhere in the state, cities such as Kansas City are allowed to require this permit for those who carry firearms openly.

Basically, you need a state concealed-carry permit to open-carry within Kansas City limits. But you don’t need this permit anywhere in the state to carry a concealed weapon.

What do Kansas City’s local laws say about where guns are allowed?

Kansas City places some restrictions on where you can carry a firearm within city limits — basically just those allowed by state law. It’s a violation of city ordinances to do any of the following:

• Exhibit a deadly weapon “in an angry or threatening manner.”

• Possess or fire a gun while intoxicated or in possession of dangerous drugs.

• Bring a gun into a place of worship, a polling place on Election Day or any government building.

• Bring a gun into a school or to a school-run event.

• Open carry within city limits without showing a state concealed carry permit on request.

Breaking these rules could land you with a fine of up to $1,000, up to 180 days in jail or both.

However, these restrictions don’t apply to police, corrections and parole officers, many court and judicial employees, members of the military, coroners and medical examiners, some security guards and some firefighters. There are also exceptions for hunting, driving with a gun in your car and transporting an unloaded gun.

Openly carrying a gun in Kansas City without a Missouri concealed carry permit is technically not allowed — but the fine for not having this permit or not showing it to authorities is capped at $35.

Kansas City also prohibits firing guns within city limits, with exceptions for self defense, law enforcement, wildlife management and firing blanks for certain ceremonial purposes like at military funerals.

Do you have more questions about gun laws in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com .