Missouri Goes 'Shall-issue'
How to Get Your Missouri Carry Permit
Last week, as of this writing, the Missouri State Supreme Court issued a decision on Missouri's License-to-Carry law that, at first blush, looks pretty confusing. On the good side, the court ruled, unambiguously, that the law, which permits concealed carry in Missouri by people with a carry permit, is constitutional.So, Missourians can go right to their local sheriffs and apply for a carry permit?
Not necessarily. In Missouri, as in most states, you have to take training before you can apply, and, yes, training is available there, from many instructors, and will be available from AACFI Missouri-certified instructors shortly.
But . . . and you knew there'd be a but...
On the minus side, it's pretty ambiguous on whether or not the Missouri sheriffs have to issue permits, and some are stalling, while some aren't. The court specifically exempted four counties from having to issue permits, and broadly hinted that any other county could opt out.
Some sheriffs are issuing Missouri permits; some aren't.
All in all, it doesn't much matter. One of the sensible parts of the LTC law is that Missouri recognizes all out-of-state permits, and the law doesn't require that Missourians get Missouri permits, although Missourians who do choose to get Missouri permits have to get them from their local county sheriff. I think responsible Missourians should get Missouri permits—but if their sheriff isn't issuing permits, or is stalling, there's another option.
So, if you're a Missourian, and live in one of the counties where the sheriff either is stalling, or isn't going to issue permits, what can you do? You can take training in Missouri from an instructor who is certified for the right outstate permits, and apply for those -- and many people are doing that.
Another option, is to take a trip to Minnesota, and get your Minnesota carry permit; that'll work just fine in Missouri, and eleven other states.
Lots of possibilities for that -- including, among others, me And since my classes now include applications and procedures for getting permits valid in 30 states, taking a class with me can let you carry in as many states as possible, while making one trip up to Minnesota.
If you're interested, I can suggest some good hotels. Fly in on a Friday, take a class on Saturday, visit the Mall of America on Sunday, then apply for your Minnesota permit and fly home on Monday. Or, if you're on a driving trip, or have business in Minnneapolis, consider spending an extra day here.
Classes in Missouri
Addendum: June 4, 2004.I've had a few Missourians coming up to take the classes, mainly long-haul truckers who, for obvious reasons, want to carry in as many states as they legally can.
But most Missourians, understandably, want to take their training locally.
Joe Penaz of Plane Cents, who is certified as a "must accept" instructor for the Missouri carry permit by virtue of the same NRA Personal Protection Instructor credentials that I have, has been doing training in Missouri, and has invited me to join him to do some combined classes, that will give you certificates and applications that will let you do the get carry permits valid in twenty-nine states carry thing without leaving Missouri—and that includes your Missouri carry endorsement. (For your Minnesota permit, you'd have to travel to Minnesota—but you can do that, and apply, without taking any other classes.)
Twenty-nine states, without leaving town? Thirty, with one trip to Minnesota?
Sounds sensible to me, but it's up to you.
For more information on the combined course in Missouri, click here. See you in Springfield?