What Are the Assault Weapon Laws in Missouri?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Missouri has no state assault weapon ban and generally follows federal firearms laws. The state preempts local assault weapon ordinances, so you can legally own AR-15s and similar firearms statewide.
What This Means for You
Missouri's firearms-friendly laws mean builders have significant freedom when designing and assembling rifles that might be restricted in other states. The state's preemption statute prevents cities and counties from creating their own assault weapon definitions. However, federal NFA rules still apply for items like short-barreled rifles or suppressors.
The Detail
Missouri operates under a firearms preemption law that prevents local municipalities from enacting their own assault weapon restrictions. This means that while some cities might prefer stricter regulations, they cannot legally enforce assault weapon bans within their jurisdictions. The state legislature has maintained this approach to ensure uniform firearms laws across Missouri.
You still need to comply with all federal regulations when building or purchasing firearms in Missouri. This includes background check requirements for firearm purchases through dealers, compliance with the National Firearms Act for items like suppressors or short-barreled rifles, and adherence to federal restrictions on certain imported firearms. The absence of state-level assault weapon laws does not override federal requirements.
Missouri's approach differs significantly from states like California, New York, or Connecticut that have comprehensive assault weapon statutes. In Missouri, you can legally own standard capacity magazines, rifles with pistol grips and adjustable stocks, and other features that trigger restrictions in ban states. The state generally takes a constitutional approach to firearms ownership rights.
If you are building firearms in Missouri, verify current federal regulations and ensure any transfers go through proper channels when required. While Missouri law is permissive, federal law still governs many aspects of firearms manufacturing, modification, and transfer. Always check with official state resources or consult legal counsel for specific situations, as laws can change.
Build Impact
You can build standard AR-15 configurations without worrying about state-level feature restrictions or magazine capacity limits. Focus your compliance efforts on federal regulations rather than navigating complex state assault weapon definitions.