Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) in Missouri – Getting Started
One of the first steps that anyone interested in getting a concealed carry weapons license should consider is whether or not they qualify for one. The state of Missouri requires that you be at least 23 years old, are a citizen of the US, have assumed residency in Missouri, have not been convicted or pled guilty to a felony, have no weapons-related misdemeanor convictions, have not been convicted within the past five years of a violent misdemeanor, are not a fugitive, and are not currently charged with a felony. View Missouri State Highway Patrol PDF File. Besides these initial legal setbacks, there is another step that should/needs to take place before proceeding with getting your CCW, or getting any firearm for self defense, even a home protection gun that you don’t even need a license for.
The step we’re talking about is the mental forethought pertaining to the ability to take another person’s life. Simply put, when it comes time, will you be able to do what it takes to defend yourself and your family by using lethal force against another person? Having the weapon to do so is one thing, but being mentally prepared to do so is another. There is a whole philological aspect to this discussion that we aren’t really qualified to talk about here, but to put it plainly, once you take another person’s life, there is no going back and you must live with the consequences for the rest of your life (not just legally speaking, but emotionally as well). If you don’t ponder this question beforehand and you go a head and get a firearm for defensive purposes anyway, you might find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to perform and your firearm/weapon can be used against you and your family. Some people have ethical, moral or religious views that prevent them from taking another life, to these people we would happily recommend some non-lethal options of defense. Carrying a weapon isn’t for everyone, for some it is best to just know thy limits and not carry a weapon at all.
For those who are able to get past any psychological barriers and still wish to have a lethal defensive weapon, we’ll discuss the next things to consider and steps to take in part II of this series. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below and we’ll do our best to answer them.
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