The following is a video transcript.
Today, I’d like to talk to you about three common misconceptions when it comes to Missouri gun law.
Myth Number One: Having a concealed carry permit no longer matters.
That’s not true. In Missouri, if you have a concealed carry permit, you do have more expansive gun rights than someone who just carries concealed under the permit-less carry law.
If, for instance, under the permit-less carry law you go into a store that has signage posted that no guns are allowed and someone finds that you are carrying a concealed weapon, you could be charged with a crime.
If you are a concealed carry permit holder and you go into that same prohibited place, you could be asked to leave if you are found to be carrying a concealed weapon. If you do not leave, you could be cited for trespassing and fined a maximum of $100, but it would not be a criminal charge.
Myth Number Two: Gun registration is required.
The second big misconception that I’ve come across is about gun registration. Missouri has no law that requires gun registration.
Myth Number Three: Private Property
In Missouri, if your employer owns a building and a parking lot, that is their private property.
If you have a gun that you carry onto that private property, you could risk your employment (or even a criminal charge if you are not a concealed carry permit holder), by carrying that gun onto private property where it is prohibited.
Bills have been proposed that would change that and would allow a firearm owner to have their firearm, for instance, in the trunk of their vehicle. However, no law currently exists allowing you to do that.
So, if you take your firearm to work and your work prohibits it, you do take certain real risks.
Thank you for making the laws more clear. I do hear a lot of comments from friends that make me wonder.
Thank you for making the laws more clear. I do hear a lot of comments from friends that make me wonder.
Good information showing the difference between having a permit or not, and going to a business that posts a NO FIREARMS sign.
Thank you. I rarely conceal and carry openly, unless I am entering a prohibited area. In these cases I simply lock my side piece in my vehicle. My firearm is visibly strapped to my hip from the moment I wake up, until I lay down at night. I am by no means a person that ever intends to use my firearm. I pray that never happens. I watch the news every morning, at work, and every single day there are stories about armed robberies, shootings and killings. I wish that more law abiding citizens were aware that Missouri is an open carry state.
Let me explain my reasoning. I’ve carried it openly into every store that I go into and this is my experience. Two store managers have approached me. The first was at a grocery store. The manager told me that a customer had complained about me the week before and he asked if I’ve ever had any problems. He then went on to tell me that he told the customer that she should feel safe knowing that I had my firearm visible, for all to see. He said that by the end of their conversation, the customer agreed that what I was doing much better than concealing and he changed the customers entire outlook. I was shocked.
The second was at a gas station. The manager approached my wife and I and asked to speak. He brought up my firearm and I immediately started to apologize. He stopped me mid sentence and said that when I was in a couple nights before, they caught 3 young thieves, who were trying to steal expensive alcohol. He said it was because they saw my side piece and “freaked out” because they thought I was there to arrest them. I had no clue that any of this was going on, but the manager offered us a bunch of free stuff, which we declined to accept.
I work in the gas station business. Hardly a day goes by that someone doesn’t thank me for making them feel safe in our store. I’ve been told over and over how smart we are to openly carry in our stores. I’ve heard horror stories from all sorts of people and several have started to openly carry. That makes me feel safe as soon as I see them.
I am very close with all of the local law enforcement officers. They agree that I make people feel safer. The only suggestion being that I invest in some armor, but they are all totally comfortable around me.
I sincerely ask that you all consider joining me in making our state the safest, because we can.
Good information. How about including HR-218 Permit (Retired Law Enforcement)