Missouri Code § 571.031

Blair's Law — unlawful discharge of a firearm, offense of — penalties.
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
1. This section shall be known and may be cited as "Blair's Law".
2. A person commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if he or she recklessly discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality.
3. This section shall not apply if the firearm is discharged:
(1) As allowed by a defense of justification under chapter 563 ;
(2) On a shooting range that is:
(a) Indoor;
(b) Owned or operated by the state or any political subdivision;
(c) A commercial shooting range, including any range used by paying members; and
(d) Supervised by any person eighteen years of age or older;
(3) To lawfully take wildlife during an open season established by the department of conservation. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent a municipality from adopting an ordinance restricting the discharge of a firearm within one-quarter mile of an occupied structure;
(4) For the control of nuisance wildlife as permitted by the department of conservation or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(5) By special permit of the chief of police of the municipality;
(6) As required by an animal control officer in the performance of his or her duties;
(7) Using blanks;
(8) More than one mile from any occupied structure;
(9) In self-defense or defense of another person against an imminent or ongoing animal attack unless the self-defense or defense of another person is a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation to protect oneself or the other person from such animal attack and such person shall not have a duty to retreat;
(10) In defense of a domestic animal against an imminent or ongoing animal attack, unless the defense of the domestic animal is a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation to protect a domestic animal from attack; or
(11) By law enforcement personnel, as defined in section 590.1040 , or a member of the United States Armed Forces if acting in an official capacity.
4. A person who commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm shall be guilty of:
(1) For a first offense, a class A misdemeanor;
(2) For a second offense, a class E felony; and
(3) For a third or subsequent offense, a class D felony.

‹ Prev All Missouri sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.