I was curious as to where a firearm carried in a purse fell into MO state law?
I know it's not the best place to carry one but wondered anyways.
Is a CCW required? Or is it a cased firearm??
It is DEFINITELY considered concealed, and you DO need a CCW to carry in a purse. The same thing applies to a fanny pack or other forms of off-body carry such as a computer bag, a brief case, etc. The State of Missouri makes no distinction of a "cased" firearm in our statutes. If you are walking down the street with a firearm concealed in a gun bag, for example, you had BETTER have a valid CCW permit in your possession as well.
You know the state code better than I. Isn't their something in there about a firearm only considered illegaly case carried if "readily capable of use" ie loaded or with ammunition at the ready? I know their are there are some jurisdictions that have OC transport laws that I use to OC on a motorcycle that have the "readily capable laws".
Doc
571.030. 1. A person commits the crime of unlawful use of weapons if he or she knowingly:
(1) Carries concealed upon or about his or her person a knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use;
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3. Subdivisions (1), (5), (8), and (10) of subsection 1 of this section do not apply when the actor is transporting such weapons in a nonfunctioning state or in an unloaded state when ammunition is not readily accessible or when such weapons are not readily accessible.......<snip>