Possession--manufacture--transport--repair--sale of certain weapons a crime--exceptions--penalties
This law says it is a crime in Missouri for a person to have, make, move, fix, or sell certain dangerous weapons. These include explosive weapons, gas guns, exploding bullets, and knuckles. It is also a crime to have a machine gun, short-barreled rifle or shotgun, gun silencer, or switchblade knife if that breaks federal law. There are exceptions — for example, soldiers, police, museums, or people using these items for lawful business or performances are not breaking this law, as long as they follow federal rules. Having explosive weapons or gas guns is a class D felony. Having exploding bullets or knuckles is a class A misdemeanor.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
571.020. Possession----transport--repair--sale of certain weapons a crime--exceptions--penalties. — 1. A person commits an if such person possesses, , transports, repairs, or sells:
(1) An ;
(2) An explosive, or poison substance or with the purpose to possess, manufacture or sell an explosive weapon;
(3) A ;
(4) A bullet or which explodes or detonates upon impact because of an explosive charge after having been shot from a firearm; or
(5) ; or
(6) Any of the following in violation of federal law:
(a) A ;
(b) A ;
(c) A ; or
(d) A .
2. A person does not commit an offense this section if his or her conduct involved any of the items in (1) to (5) of 1, the item was possessed in conformity with any applicable federal law, and the conduct:
(1) Was incident to the performance of official duty by the , Guard, a governmental , or a ; or
(2) Was incident to engaging in a lawful commercial or business transaction with an organization enumerated in (1) of this section; or
(3) Was incident to using an explosive weapon in a manner reasonably related to a lawful industrial or commercial enterprise; or
(4) Was incident to displaying the weapon in a public museum or ; or
(5) Was incident to using the weapon in a manner reasonably related to a lawful dramatic performance.
3. An offense pursuant to subdivision (1), (2), (3) or (6) of subsection 1 of this section is a ; a crime pursuant to subdivision (4) or (5) of subsection 1 of this section is a .
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Source & history notes
(L. 1981 H.B. 296, A.L. 2002 S.B. 712, A.L. 2008 H.B. 2034, A.L. 2011 H.B. 294, et al., A.L. 2012 H.B. 1647 merged with S.B. 489 & 637, A.L. 2016 H.B. 2332) Effective 1-01-17 Illegal fireworks, possession, sale, manufacture or transportation of, penalty, 320.136
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.