Denial of application, right of appeal

*571.220. Denial of application, right of appeal — appeal forms — right to trial de novo, when. — 1. In any case when the sheriff refuses to issue a Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit or to act on an application for such permit, the denied applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial within thirty days of receiving written notice of the denial. Such appeals shall be heard in small claims court as defined in section 482.300, and the provisions of sections 482.300, 482.310, and 482.335 shall apply to such appeals.

2. A denial of or refusal to act on an application for a Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit may be appealed by filing with the clerk of the small claims court a copy of the sheriff's written refusal and a form substantially similar to the appeal form provided in this section. Appeal forms shall be provided by the clerk of the small claims court free of charge to any person:

3. The notice of appeal in a denial of a Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit appeal shall be made to the sheriff in a manner and form determined by the small claims court judge.

4. If at the hearing the person shows he or she is entitled to the requested Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit, the court shall issue an appropriate order to cause the issuance of the Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit. Costs shall not be assessed against the sheriff unless the action of the sheriff is determined by the judge to be arbitrary and capricious.

5. Any person aggrieved by any final judgment rendered by a small claims court in a denial of a Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit appeal may have a right to trial de novo as provided in sections 512.180 to 512.320.