Is an Arkansas Resident Permit Valid in Missouri?

Why

• Missouri recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• Missouri allows permitless carry, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

RSMo 571.107.1 gives 'a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state' the same statewide effect as a Missouri permit; the AG confirms Missouri recognizes permits from every state that issues them. No issuing-state residency condition.

Carry rules in Missouri

Missouri's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• No proactive duty to inform. Permit holders must carry the permit plus photo ID and display them on a peace officer's request (RSMo 571.121); failure is a civil citation up to $35, not a crime.
• Missouri sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Missouri allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Any person 19+ (18 if military or honorably discharged) may carry a loaded concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a vehicle without a permit (RSMo 571.030.3).

Off-limits places in Missouri

Missouri bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Within 25 feet of a polling place on election day

See all 6 places you can't carry in Missouri →

Arkansas vs Missouri: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Arkansas into Missouri changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → Yes); duty to inform police (Yes → No).

Going the other way, a Missouri resident permit in Arkansas: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Missouri

How an Arkansas resident permit fares in the states bordering Missouri:

• Illinois — Not recognized
• Iowa — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Kansas — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Kentucky — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Nebraska — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Oklahoma — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Tennessee — Recognized — and permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Missouri honor an Arkansas non-resident permit?

Arkansas does not issue non-resident carry permits (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement), so the question does not arise.

Can a Missouri resident permit holder carry in Arkansas?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Arkansas's law, not Missouri's.

Where does Missouri publish its official reciprocity list?

Missouri publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.