To carry a concealed pistol in Missouri, you must be at least 19 years old. If you’re an active-duty member or honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, the minimum drops to 18. Open carry is available at 18 for anyone. And buying a handgun from a licensed dealer is a separate question with a separate answer: 21. Those three ages, all applying to the same person at different moments, are why “how old do you have to be to carry a pistol in Missouri” doesn’t have a single number for an answer.
Concealed Carry Without a Permit
Missouri decriminalized carrying a concealed firearm without a permit in 2017. The unlawful-use-of-weapons statute exempts anyone 19 or older, and anyone 18 or older who is a current or honorably discharged member of the U.S. Armed Forces, from the concealed-carry prohibition.1Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes 571.030 – Unlawful Use of Weapons, Offense of, Exceptions, Violation, Penalties No training course, no application, no fee. If you meet the age threshold and can legally possess a firearm, you can carry a concealed pistol on your person or in your vehicle throughout most of the state.
You still have to be eligible to possess a firearm in the first place. That rules out anyone with a felony conviction, anyone in fugitive status, and anyone adjudicated mentally incompetent.2Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes 571.070 – Possession of Firearm Unlawful for Certain Persons, Penalty, Exception Constitutional carry doesn’t erase those disqualifications.
Open Carry at 18
Missouri has no statute broadly prohibiting open carry, and the unlawful-use-of-weapons law targets concealed carry into restricted places, not visible carry.1Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes 571.030 – Unlawful Use of Weapons, Offense of, Exceptions, Violation, Penalties Because state law lets anyone 18 or older possess a handgun, an 18-year-old civilian can legally carry a pistol openly in most public places even though the concealed option isn’t yet available. The location-based restrictions covered below still apply whether the pistol is on your hip or under your jacket.
Buying a Handgun: A Different Age Entirely
The age to carry and the age to buy don’t match, and that mismatch catches a lot of people.
From a Licensed Dealer: 21
Federal law prohibits any licensed firearms dealer from selling a handgun to anyone under 21.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 US Code 922 – Unlawful Acts Every gun store, pawn shop, and online retailer with a Federal Firearms License is bound by that rule. A 19-year-old Missourian who can legally carry concealed still cannot walk into a shop and buy the pistol they’re carrying.
Private Sale: 18
State law sets a lower bar for private transfers. Transferring a firearm to anyone under 18 is illegal without the consent of the minor’s custodial parent or guardian.4Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes 571.060 – Unlawful Transfer of Weapons, Penalty Once you’re 18, you can legally possess a handgun and acquire one through a private sale from another Missouri resident. No background check is required for those transactions under current state law.
Under 18
Federal law generally bars anyone under 18 from possessing a handgun or handgun-only ammunition. A few narrow exceptions exist: temporary possession for farming or ranching work, hunting, target practice, or a firearms safety course, provided the minor has prior written consent from a parent or guardian who isn’t themselves prohibited from possessing firearms. The written consent has to be on the minor’s person during possession. Members of the Armed Forces or National Guard may also possess a handgun while on duty.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 US Code 922 – Unlawful Acts
What Happens if You Carry Underage
If you’re under 19 and not military-affiliated, carrying a concealed pistol in Missouri is a class B misdemeanor under the unlawful-use-of-weapons statute.1Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes 571.030 – Unlawful Use of Weapons, Offense of, Exceptions, Violation, Penalties That carries up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A weapons conviction on your record also complicates future firearm purchases, employment screenings, and professional licensing.
Do You Still Need a Permit?
Missouri still issues Concealed Carry Permits through county sheriff’s departments, and the age rule mirrors permitless carry: 19, or 18 with qualifying military service. Applicants complete a certified firearms safety course and pay a fee capped at $100 for a new five-year permit or $50 for a renewal.
The reason to bother is travel. Missouri’s constitutional carry right stops at the state line, and most other states require a license to carry concealed. A Missouri permit gives you legal cover in states that have reciprocity agreements with Missouri, and the Attorney General’s office publishes a current reciprocity list.5Attorney General Office of Missouri. Concealed Carry Reciprocity Reciprocity changes, and each state defines its own restricted locations, so check the destination’s rules before you drive.
Places Age Alone Doesn’t Get You Into
Meeting the age requirement doesn’t override Missouri’s location-based restrictions. Concealed carry is off-limits in law enforcement facilities, jails and prisons, courthouses, government meetings, polling places on election day, churches, schools and school buses, federal and other government buildings, and any private property posted with proper signage.6Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Revised Statutes 571.107 – Restricted Locations Those rules apply regardless of your age or whether you hold a permit.