Can I Build an AR-15 in Missouri?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Yes, you can legally build an AR-15 in Missouri for personal use without federal licensing requirements, following both federal and state regulations.
What This Means for You
Missouri has relatively permissive firearms laws that align well with federal regulations for home building. The state doesn't impose additional restrictions beyond federal requirements for manufacturing firearms for personal use. You'll need to follow federal guidelines regarding serialization, prohibited persons, and configuration requirements.
The Detail
Federal law allows individuals to manufacture firearms for personal use without obtaining a Federal Firearms License, and Missouri state law doesn't prohibit this practice. You must be legally eligible to possess firearms under both federal and state law, which means passing the same background check requirements that would apply to purchasing a firearm.
The AR-15 platform itself presents no legal issues in Missouri since the state has no assault weapons ban or restrictions on semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines. You can build standard configurations with typical features like adjustable stocks, pistol grips, and flash hiders without concern. Missouri also doesn't restrict magazine capacity, so standard capacity magazines are legal.
Serialization requirements follow federal guidelines. If you're building for personal use and never intend to sell the firearm, you're not required to serialize it under federal law. However, many builders choose to engrave a serial number anyway for identification purposes. If you later decide to sell the rifle, you must go through an FFL for the transfer.
You should verify current regulations with official Missouri state resources and ensure you're familiar with federal requirements before beginning your build. Laws can change, and local ordinances in some Missouri municipalities might impose additional restrictions that could affect your build plans.
Build Impact
This legal framework means Missouri residents have straightforward access to building AR-15s without navigating complex state-level restrictions. You can focus on the technical aspects of your build rather than worrying about configuration compliance issues that affect builders in more restrictive states.