Open Carry in MO

H

hp995

Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
6
(Hi, I'm a new member.)

In Missouri, without a CCW, the laws prevent concealed carry except for small pocket folders.

I'm interested in open carry of a sheathed fixed blade knife with a medium to long blade, a light machete, or (less likely) a sword. I'm not aware of state law against open carry, it seems legal the way I read the code, but there's little detailed info anywhere on it either, compared to gun carry.

So:

A) Looking for confirmation that open carry of fixed blades in MO is indeed legal. Also, any case law or personal experience?

B) Wondering how this works when in vehicle. Is there a way to carry in the passenger area (seating area) that's considered open? Or would it need to be in the trunk in a container?

C) A lot of local code wording is based on the state code, but interested in wider-KC-area local laws and open carry experience too.

I'm not asking about special cases like switchblades, just open carry of regular fixed blades. I would like to use a blade as a companion to a pistol, such as one on each hip, or perhaps sometimes as an alternative. Something with a little reach. Also would love to car carry.

I believe in the second amendment 100%, firearms, blades, and other weapons; open and concealed carry; uninfringed. But the legal issues take some wading through. (Infringing at work, but such is life until we obtain more legislative victories.) Thanks for providing a forum!
 
Missouri is an "open carry" state, but you better check with the local town/city because the rules change from town to town.
 
The matter of (B) is not spelled out in the law. It's more police procedure really. If you can easily reach the weapon from the driver's seat, and it can't be noticed right away from outside the car, it's concealed. Some cops are more strict about this and might try to charge a person even if the weapon is visible, if it's within easy reach, though I have seen such cases get thrown out in court too. This is why it is often recommended to err on the side of caution and keep the weapon in the trunk, or fully enclosed inside a box or bag where it is not readily accessible.
 
It is LEGAL to have a loaded weapon in your car in Mo. As long as you are the right age and have a driver's license.
 
Mono: Correction, it's legal to have a loaded HANDGUN in passenger compartment of car as long as it doesn't conflict with federal or other state law. That doesn't work for long guns and it doesn't help at all with blades!

Glistam: Thanks for info. If LEO caprice decides whether we can use open carry or not while driving, then we've already lost the right despite the actual law. That's awful!! :mad: So I think we need to lobby for it. Maybe I'll contact Knife Rights. Meantime agreed that trunk is safer.

Anyone here from MO? Any blade OC? Thanks!
 
RSMO chapter 571 is the pertinent chapter. Take a good read through there. Especially 571.030.

Like said above a lot is up to the individual officer. Regarding carry in a vehicle. Concealed in easy reach could be a no no as it would technically violate .030 and would be a class D Felony. Most officers if stopping you for some minor violation wouldn't mess with it but some would. I say read the law look up some case law from the past read through it. Come to your own best conclusions and make a well informed decision. Google is your friend and there are many resources. Ill try and bring some links from helpful sites.

Also as stated above many cities have more restrictive laws even about open carry, Columbia being one of them and I would think KC and surrounding municipalities would be similarly restrictive. Until just this year even a CCW that's shirt gapped in public and accidentally "displayed" there gun could have been arrested in Columbia but thankfully the state law has addressed that.
 
Yes, I have read the MO law as a starting point and I know about the local mishmash - lots to wade through. Even case law wouldn't necessarily be reliable enough to go on if it wasn't in your own local jurisdiction, unless there was a strong trend statewide.

I think this an area that needs some lobbying because "up to officer" (ie caprice, subjective) is not good enough for our rights, and not safe enough to act upon.

Definitely if you find any info please share, thanks very much! I really appreciate being able to discuss these issues with fellow blade owners. Also, is there a good resource for searching case law?

My ideal situation for vehicle would be to OC a fixed blade in easy reach but NOT concealed, ie obvious, but how to do that legally is something I haven't seen addressed, and if it's up to the officer then it's useless and dangerous without some lobbying for new law or at least greater recognition.

This would be logical in MO as a companion to the above-referenced vehicle handgun carry.
 
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