Missouri Firearms Regulatory Overview
Missouri adopted permitless carry in 2017 and passed the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) in 2021. The state has strong preemption, no waiting period, no state purchase permits, no assault weapons restrictions, and no magazine limits. Missouri previously required a Permit to Purchase for handguns but repealed that requirement in 2007.
Background Checks
Missouri is a NICS direct-contact state. The three-business-day default proceed applies. Missouri's Concealed Carry Permit does not currently qualify as a NICS alternative — every buyer requires a NICS check regardless of permit status.
Second Amendment Preservation Act
Missouri's SAPA (HB 85, 2021) declares certain federal firearms laws invalid within Missouri and penalizes state and local law enforcement agencies that enforce them. However, SAPA does not affect FFLs — the ATF enforces federal law directly through its own agents, not through state or local police. As an FFL, you must comply with all federal requirements regardless of SAPA. Do not interpret SAPA as authorization to bypass any federal compliance obligation.
State Preemption
Missouri Revised Statutes § 21.750 provides comprehensive state preemption. No municipality may enact ordinances governing the sale, purchase, possession, ownership, transfer, transportation, or carrying of firearms more restrictively than state law.
Private Transfers
Missouri does not require background checks for private transfers. The 2007 repeal of the Permit to Purchase requirement also eliminated the background check that had been part of that system for private handgun sales.
Recordkeeping
Missouri imposes no state-specific recordkeeping requirements for firearms dealers. Federal standards govern your compliance. Focus on accurate A&D entries, complete 4473s, and organized, audit-ready records.
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