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Missouri Open Carry Laws (2026)
Permitted: Open carry of a handgun is legal under state law and needs no permit, but cities and counties may ban it by ordinance.
Open carry of a handgun is legal under state law and needs no permit, but cities and counties may ban it by ordinance. Where banned, you may still carry openly with a Missouri permit, or a recognized out-of-state permit, kept on you and shown when an officer asks. Without a permit, carrying a firearm into a church, government building, polling place on election day or school is a crime. The statutes state no open carry age; treat 19 (18 for military) as the minimum.
Official source: revisor.mo.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Open Carry in states bordering Missouri
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ArkansasPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is legal without a permit for anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess one. It is a crime only if you intend to use it unlawfully against a person. A loaded firearm may not be carried into a publicly owned building or facility (Class C misdemeanor), and a private owner who says no can have you charged with trespass.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: dps.arkansas.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
- IllinoisRestricted
Open carry of a handgun is prohibited in Illinois. Firearms must be carried concealed under a valid Concealed Carry License (CCL).
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: isp.illinois.gov · Full Illinois rule →
- IowaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is allowed in Iowa without a permit for anyone who may lawfully carry.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: dps.iowa.gov · Full Iowa rule →
- KansasPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is legal in Kansas without a license for anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess one. Some places are off limits, such as school grounds and buildings posted against open carry.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: ag.ks.gov · Full Kansas rule →
- KentuckyPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is legal in Kentucky without a permit for anyone 18 or older who can lawfully possess one.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
- NebraskaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun needs no permit in Nebraska if you are 18 or older and not a prohibited person. A handgun counts as concealed only if it is entirely hidden from view, and the state concealed-carry rules cover only concealed handguns. Firearms are barred at schools, with limited exceptions. Since July 18, 2026, firearms are also barred in the State Capitol unless you have prior State Patrol approval. State law largely bars cities and counties from adding their own firearm rules, but check locally.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: statepatrol.nebraska.gov · Full Nebraska rule →
- OklahomaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is legal in Oklahoma without a license for eligible people 21 or older, or 18 and older for military members and veterans.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: oklahoma.gov · Full Oklahoma rule →
- TennesseePermitted
Open carry of a handgun is allowed in Tennessee without a permit for anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess one.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
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