Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Legal Research Pathfinders
Degree Name
Juris Doctorate (JD)
Instructor
Paul Callister
Abstract
Firearm regulation, both nationally and in Missouri, sits at the center of ongoing constitutional debate and evolving public policy. Missouri’s legal landscape reflects a significant shift over the past two decades. The state moved from a traditional permit-based concealed carry system to a broad permitless carry framework that allows most adults to carry concealed firearms without a permit. This shift follows major developments in federal Second Amendment case law, including District of Columbia v. Heller, McDonald v. Chicago, and New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, as well as Missouri’s 2014 constitutional amendment requiring courts to evaluate restrictions on the right to bear arms under strict scrutiny.
Because of these constitutional, statutory, and historical developments, researching Missouri’s concealed carry and self-defense laws requires navigating the United States Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, Chapters 571 and 563 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, key state and federal cases, and a variety of secondary sources offering explanations and context. This Pathfinder provides a structured roadmap to researching these materials efficiently and effectively. It walks the reader through the foundational law, identifies important resources, and explains research strategies to understand the scope and application of Missouri’s concealed carry and self-defense framework.
Recommended Citation
Stafford, Andrew II, "Concealed Carry and the Right to Self Defense in Missouri" (2025). Law Student Works. 32.
https://irlaw.umkc.edu/student_works/32