This is all so simple to understand, can't see where the confusion is? (KIDDING!)
Originally Posted by Verd
The sale will be taking place both out in the parking lot, in the reserved parking area, and indoors. I plan on stopping there on my way home and I would rather not leave my gun in my car.
Can I do this, or is it a bit "murky" in regards to the law?
The answer is, that it is not at all "murky" in regards to state law. Under RSMO 571.030.1.(8):
A person commits the crime of unlawful use of weapons if he or she knowingly:
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(8) Carries a firearm or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any church or place where people have assembled for worship, or into any election precinct on any election day, or into any building owned or occupied by any agency of the federal government, state government, or political subdivision thereof; or
Now if you have a valid CCW endorsement, you are exempt from this statute under RSMO 571.030.4:
4. Subdivisions (1), (8), and (10) of subsection 1 of this section shall not apply to any person who has a valid concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 or a valid permit or endorsement to carry concealed firearms issued by another state or political subdivision of another state.
Now IF you meet the requirements for the exemption under state law, then you would next have to check local ordinances that regulate/restrict/prohibit open carry in the jurisdiction in which the church is located. If the local ordinances prohibit OC, then it's a NO GO.
If local ordinances are good to go, then you next have to consider the policy of the church. They own the property, therefore, they set the rules. If they say "no guns" then, again, it's NO GO - open, concealed, or otherwise.
If all of the above check out (you meet the requirements for the exemption under state law, there are no local ordinances against it, and the church has no policy against it), then yes, you can open carry in the church.
Now if you have a valid CCW endorsement, you are exempt from this statute under RSMO 571.030.4:
Now IF you meet the requirements for the exemption under state law, then you would next have to check local ordinances that regulate/restrict/prohibit open carry in the jurisdiction in which the church is located. If the local ordinances prohibit OC, then it's a NO GO.
If local ordinances are good to go, then you next have to consider the policy of the church. They own the property, therefore, they set the rules. If they say "no guns" then, again, it's NO GO - open, concealed, or otherwise.
If all of the above check out (you meet the requirements for the exemption under state law, there are no local ordinances against it, and the church has no policy against it), then yes, you can open carry in the church.[/QUOTE]