Buy a Gun in Missouri
Every Missouri citizen aged 21 and over who has not been convicted of, nor pleaded guilty to, a felony, has the right to buy, own and keep a gun in the state. You are not required to register the gun but you are required to keep proof of ownership and a record of the serial number. Should the gun be stolen, you are then required to give the serial number to the police department so that it can be posted on the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Below are various sources for purchasing guns in Missouri.
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[hide]Steps
Buying Guns at Missouri Gun Dealers
- Look for gun dealers in your area and pay them a visit. The staffs at these stores are extremely knowledgeable and can help you select the perfect firearm for your needs. They will often have a selection of used guns available that have been taken as a trade in for a more appropriate gun. All Missouri gun dealers are licensed by the state, and you can be assured that the gun you purchase from them is not illegal in any way, nor will it be a stolen weapon.
Buying Guns at Pawnshops
- Visit your local pawnshops. Many will have a selection of guns for you to choose from, and you can be assured of a clean title as pawn shops must be licensed to sell firearms. Every gun that comes through their premises must be checked through the NCIC data base.
Buying Guns at Missouri Antique Stores
- Visit antique stores if you want to buy old guns for a collection. Most old guns do not even have serial numbers and there should be no problem with their provenance. But the antique dealer must still be licensed by the state, so you do have that added protection when you purchase through them.
Buying Guns at Missouri Flea Markets
- Visit flea markets to find firearms. Most flea markets will require a state license from a firearms' dealer, but you should check that they have their license posted. If not, you run the chance of buying a stolen gun. While that is not a crime in itself, if you decide to have the serial number checked at a later date and the gun was stolen, the police will confiscate it and you will not be reimbursed for the purchase price.
Buying Guns in Missouri Privately
- Search the "For Sale" ads online and in your newspapers. However, as explained in the section on buying at flea markets from an unlicensed dealer, you run the same risk of buying a stolen firearm and having to surrender it with no compensation.
- Private sales are a great resource for finding antique firearms. As a rule, they will be priced considerably lower than what you will find in an antique store.
- In general, be leery of the "fantastic deal" offered to you by a stranger. Ask if the seller will allow you to pay for a licensed dealer to handle the transaction through their store. This will allow you to have the serial number checked and give you peace of mind for a relatively small transaction fee.
Buying Firearms at Estate Auctions or Sales
- Find a local auction online or an estate sale. Many times you can find great deals this way. Auctions can sell guns at any price.
- Do your homework before you purchase. It is important to note that many private sellers have no history of a weapon being sold as the previous owner may be deceased. You can ask the seller about it, but they are not required to complete any paperwork due to the sale being a private estate.
Tips
- The Missouri Attorney General advises that if you are stopped by law enforcement while you have a gun in your vehicle, keep both hands on the steering wheel and inform the officer that there is a gun in the vehicle immediately. If you are carrying concealed, you will need to show your permit and if you are transporting, you will need to show proof of ownership.
Warnings
- You will be required to show proof of age before buying a gun from any licensed gun dealer in Missouri.
Things You'll Need
- Photo ID
- Background Check
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