Heading to Missouri

[Teamless]

Sunday I leave for Missouri for a few days of learning at University of Missouri - Rolla
Well, i know I can't carry at the University, so daytime Monday, Tuesday and 1/2 of Wednesday are off limits, according to http://www.Handgunlaw.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, so I am wondering (to myself) if it is even worth bringing...
I will be at the hotel when I am not in school, and yes, I know anything can happen anywhere, so I may carry, for those meal times when I leave the hotel or school during lunch.

In reading the handy dandy http://www.handgunlaw.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, if I understand it properly, that I can carry in restaurants, as long as 51% of the sales come from food, but not sure if they have a posting or not. However, as I don't go to bars (with a gun) and don't sit in the bar area at restaurants, and normally go to 'standard restaurants', I think I can figure out which to avoid.

Looks like other than that, they have a simple sign requirement of "

one or more signs displayed in a conspicuous place of a minimum size of eleven inches by fourteen inches with the writing thereon in letters of not less than one inch

so should be pretty easily avoidable. And then they have a nice clause that says basically, if you break this law, you can be asked to leave and only then if you do not leave, the law can be called, and then you can get a fine of up to $100 for first offense.
So, nice enough, if I miss a sign (or ignore one, which I would never intentionally do), there pretty much is no penalty.

Does anyone have any other useful information for Missouri?

I have read that parts of MO is open carry, however I do not intend to do that, and really probably will only bring my BG380 for pocket carry anyway, if I decide to bring any at all.

There are other off-limits locations, but I will not be polling, going to court, hopefully not a hospital, or a day care or a few other facilities.

So now, I have until early Sunday morning to decide, carry or not.

thanks all

[C-dub]

The only time I've spent in MO since I've had my CHL was driving through. Keep an eye out for anyone openly carrying and let us know. Oh, and definitely carry for while driving and stops and in the hotel.

[WildBill]

The only time I've spent in MO since I've had my CHL was driving through. Keep an eye out for anyone openly carrying and let us know. Oh, and definitely carry for while driving and stops and in the hotel.

A friend of mine is an executive in the travel industry. In many of her talks she stresses that hotels are one of the most dangerous places that most people go on a trip. Especially for women.

[Teamless]

C-Dub and Bill, thanks for that info

[C-dub]

If you're open to the idea and it's legal and all, openly carrying from your car to your room might put off anyone watching you. I'm not quite there yet myself, but I'm seriously considering OCing for the first time when I go up to Kansas this summer.

[Keith B]

Grew up in Missouri and spend a lot of time there. It is overall a very gun friendly state. The current Governor is a Democrat, but was the Attorney General that helped push concealed carry through and get it passed.

Open carry is legal in all of the state, BUT individual cities can prohibit it by local ordinance. Rolla appears to be legal, but unless you check their most recent ordinances you can't be sure.

Restaurant carry is the same as here. Can't carry if the place is over 51%, but they don't have signs.

To prohibit concealed carry, a sign must be 11 x 14 and have 1" letters saying 'Concealed carry is prohibited', but not specific language other than that.

The neat thing about Missouri is even carrying into a prohibited place is not a crime if you leave immediately when asked. And, even if you refuse, and they call police, it is just a fine the first couple of times. HOWEVER, one quirk is you cannot ride a bus in Missouri with a gun, so don't get on a bus of any kind carrying as it is a felony.

So I would not hesitate to carry there, just steer clear of any schools as you don't get the Federal School Zone exemption in another state and stay off busses and you should be fine.