Purchasing a firearm in Missouri

[Aggie_engr]

I have been looking for a Ruger LCP for awhile now but no one seems to be able to keep them in stock. So I was at Bass Pro in the St. Louis area and the guy went to look for an LCP and told me they didn't have any. He then asked me where I'm from and said I can't even buy a gun in MO? Is that correct?

[seamusTX]

You can buy a handgun only in the state where you reside.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b2

(B2) From whom may an unlicensed person acquire a firearm under the GCA?

A person may only acquire a firearm within the person’s own State, except that he or she may purchase or otherwise acquire a rifle or shotgun, in person, at a licensee's premises in any State, provided the sale complies with State laws applicable in the State of sale and the State where the purchaser resides.

You can have a dealer ship a handgun to a Texas FFL and take ownership after paying all the fees.

- Jim

[Aggie_engr]

The guy told me handguns AND long arms?

[bpet]

Tis true. You also need a purchase permit issued from the local authorities (at least for handguns in the St. Louis area last year) according to the sales rep at the Cabelas just outside St. Louis.

I did, however, buy a shotgun (16 guage J. C. Higgens bolt action) from a hardware store in Frederick Town Mo and never even showed them a drivers license. That was back in 1982. Things may have changed.

[seamusTX]

The guy told me handguns AND long arms?

He was wrong. What can you expect from an employee of a chain store?

- Jim

[Aggie_engr]

That's what I figured. I was slightly shocked when he said I couldn't buy a handgun, but no long arms really blew me away. Maybe he just didn't want to sell me a gun because I'm from out of state, who knows. Oh well, just gives me all the more reason to 'git on back to Texas!

[KBCraig]

He may have been correct about long arms. Some states continue to have the "contiguous state" restriction for long arms that was originally in GCA '68. I don't know if Missouri is one of those states.

[seamusTX]

His training was probably just not to sell anything to anyone from out of state.

- Jim

[gmckinl]

He is correct!

The last sign I saw said contiguous states (AR, OK, etc.) but NOT TX.

[seamusTX]

I stand corrected. The relevant law is Title XXVI, Chapter 407.505.

- Jim

[Keith B]

He is correct!

The last sign I saw said contiguous states (AR, OK, etc.) but NOT TX.

I'll 2nd this. Have a good friend who owns a gun shop in my hometown in Missouri and I cannot purchase a long gun from him, even though he would give me a great deal.

EDITED to add: Jim beat me to the confirmation and even posted the Trade and Commerce Code.

[gmckinl]

here ya go. Read for yourself and decide...

Excerpts from Federal Law...
Provided that federal law and the laws of both the dealer`s and purchaser`s states and localities are complied with:

An individual 21 years of age or older may acquire a handgun from a dealer federally licensed to sell firearms in the individual`s state of residence. An individual 18 years of age or older may purchase a rifle or shotgun from a federally licensed dealer in any state

An individual who does not possess a federal firearms license may not sell a firearm to a resident of another state without first transferring the firearm to a dealer in the purchaser`s state. Firearms received by bequest or intestate succession are exempt...

Missouri Revised Statutes
Chapter 407
Merchandising Practices
Section 407.505

August 28, 2007

Residents of contiguous states may purchase rifles and shotguns in Missouri, when.

407.505. Residents of a state contiguous to the state of Missouri may purchase rifles and shotguns in the state of Missouri, provided that such residents conform to the applicable provisions of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968