Carry Concealed Weapon Information
Background
The St. Louis County Police Department is receiving many inquiries concerning the Supreme Court of Missouri Opinion on House Bills 349, 120, 136, 328 and 365, commonly referred to as the concealed-carry act.
On Friday, October 8, 2004, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Brown ruled in favor of St. Louis County with respect to the issuance of concealed-carry endorsements. Although some counties in Missouri were accepting applications for the endorsement, St. Louis County did not, as the Concealed Carry Law was found to violate the Hancock Amendment of the Missouri Constitution.
According to the decision, "...the Concealed Carry Law, Sections 571.101 RSMo, et seq. (Supp.2003) that require the expenditure of County Funds that are not reimbursable from the Sheriff's Revolving Fund constitute an unfunded mandate in violation of the Hancock Amendment, Article X, Sections 16 and 21 of the Missouri Constitution as such portions pertain to St. Louis County, and such portions shall not be enforceable against St. Louis County, nor shall St. Louis County or its authorized law enforcement official be required to accept applications for concealed carry endorsements, or to issue them."
In St. Louis County, it was determined that each endorsement would cost over $70 to create and process. Since the State of Missouri has neither funded nor made an appropriation to fund those costs that St. Louis County would incur for undertaking the processing of applications for endorsements to carry concealed weapons, the Concealed Carry Law was determined to be unconstitutional.
In response to this finding, State Legislators created an emergency clause to fix the error in the original act. House Bill 365 was introduced, truly agreed and finally passed on May 26, 2005. This bill removes the provision in Section 50.535, RSMo, which requires all moneys in a county sheriff's revolving fund to be used only for the purchase of equipment and to provide training for law enforcement officers. County sheriffs will be allowed to use moneys in the fund to cover the costs associated with the processing of concealed carry endorsements. If the actual expenses in a given year exceed the revenue generated by the statutory maximum application fee of $100, a sheriff may present specific and verified evidence of the un-reimbursed expenses to the Office of Administration. Upon certification by the Attorney General, the Office of Administration will reimburse the sheriff from an appropriation made for that purpose. The Bill was then presented to Missouri Governor Matt Blunt for his signature. On July 12, 2005, Governor Blunt signed the Bill.
Application Procedure
After the Bill was signed, Chief of Police Jerry Lee announced the procedure for all St. Louis County residents to follow in order to obtain a concealed carry endorsement. What follows is the list of requirements for residents of St. Louis County as mandated by State Statute.
Applicants will be required to:
- Appear in person to the endorsement application location
- Provide a valid Missouri Drivers License, Non-Drivers license or Military ID and orders
- Complete the application affirming that all qualifications have been met
- Submit a photocopy of the firearms qualification certification
- Pay $76 fee - Check, cash or money order made payable to Treasurer - St. Louis County
The St. Louis County Police Department will be accepting applications at the St. Louis County Police Headquarters, located at 7900 Forsyth Boulevard, 63105, beginning on Wednesday, July 13, 2005. Clerks will be available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Applications will be taken for the endorsement on the Street Level of the Headquarters building, in the Private Security Unit. If the need arises for expanded or weekend hours, arrangements have been made to introduce evening or weekend hours.
Applicants are reminded that once the application is submitted, the approval process can take as long as 45 days. Notification of approval or denial will be made by mail. The notification will provide further instructions based on the approval or denial. If approved, the certificate of endorsement must be carried at all times when in possession of a concealed firearm. The Department of Revenue will issue a new drivers or non-drivers license containing the concealed carry endorsement, which is valid for three years, to those who qualify.
Texts and Summaries of the Legislation
For more information regarding House Bill 365 please click on the following links:
Truly Agreed to and Finally passed version
Summary of Bill
For more information regarding House Bills 349, 120, 136 & 328 please click on the following links:
Truly Agreed to and Finally passed version
Information for Firearms Safety Instructors
The St. Louis County Police Department is now accepting applications for concealed carry endorsements and State Law requires all Qualified Firearms Safety Instructors to complete a "Firearms Safety Instructor Form" for each St. Louis County Resident that has successfully completed and passed a firearms safety training course. This is a requirement of RSMo 571.111.
Click the link to download the Firearms Safety Instructor Form.
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For further information contact Lieutenant Christopher J. Stocker at cstocker@stlouisco.com.