Is a West Virginia 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

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Missouri, these rules replace the ones you know from West Virginia.

• 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 →

West Virginia vs Missouri: what changes at the state line

Crossing from West Virginia into Missouri changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → Yes); out-of-state permits honored (36 states → All states).

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

Driving on from Missouri

How a West Virginia resident permit fares in the states bordering Missouri:

• Arkansas — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• 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 a West Virginia non-resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. The answer is the same as for the resident permit on this page.

Can a Missouri resident permit holder carry in West Virginia?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on West Virginia'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.