Kevin L. Jamison 1 A concealed or open carry charge may be avoided, and in the worst case defended with the little used travelers' exception. The bulk of reported concealed weapons cases involve car stops.
Federal law provides a defense for transporting weapons during interstate travel.
Within Missouri, the state's preemption of firearms law requires uniform regulation, and hence defenses, throughout the state, with the curious exception of open carry in some few cities. The most significant defense to a concealed weapons charge in Missouri is the travelers' defense. Most motorists are not travelers, but those who qualify for that status may avoid a felony conviction. Interstate travelers have been arrested for mere possession of certain categories of firearms under unique state laws or possession without state-specific permits. Under this statute, a person may transport a firearm in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, so long as the gun is unloaded and in a locked container.