Missouri State Law Summary

Posted on January 2, 2012

Last updated April 3, 2012

In our publication Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence, the Law Center ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 29 different firearms-related policy areas. Missouri ranked 27th out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, Missouri does not:

Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between unlicensed parties;
Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;
Require firearms dealers to obtain a state license;
Require gun owners to obtain a license, register their firearms, or report lost or stolen firearms;
Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases;
Regulate unsafe handguns (“junk guns” or “Saturday night specials”);
Significantly regulate ammunition;
Allow local governments to regulate firearms; or
Give local law enforcement discretion to deny a concealed carry endorsement.

In 2009, Missouri ranked 13th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. 822 people died from firearm-related injuries in Missouri in that year. In both 2008 and 2009, Missouri had the highest rate of black homicide victimization among the 50 states, according to an analysis performed by the Violence Policy Center. In addition, based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an unusually high proportion of guns that are originally sold in Missouri and are recovered after being used in crimes are recovered soon after the original purchase – a good indicator of crime gun trafficking.