Mo. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 571
Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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  571.010.  Definitions. — As used in this chapter, the following terms shall mean:

  (1)  "Antique, curio or relic firearm", any firearm so defined by the National Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Title 26, Section 5845, and the United States Treasury/Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, 27 CFR Section 178.11:

  (a)  "Antique firearm" is any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898, said ammunition not being manufactured any longer; this includes any matchlock, wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type ignition system, or replica thereof;

  (b)  "Curio or relic firearm" is any firearm deriving value as a collectible weapon due to its unique design, ignition system, operation or at least fifty years old, associated with a historical event, renown personage or major war;

  (2)  "Blackjack", any instrument that is designed or adapted for the purpose of stunning or inflicting physical injury by striking a person, and which is readily capable of lethal use;

  (3)  "Blasting agent", any material or mixture, consisting of fuel and oxidizer that is intended for blasting, but not otherwise defined as an explosive under this section, provided that the finished product, as mixed for use of shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a numbered 8 test blasting cap when unconfined;

  (4)  "Concealable firearm", any firearm with a barrel less than sixteen inches in length, measured from the face of the bolt or standing breech;

  (5)  "Deface", to alter or destroy the manufacturer's or importer's serial number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark;

  (6)  "Detonator", any device containing a detonating charge that is used for initiating detonation in an explosive, including but not limited to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, nonelectric blasting caps for use with safety fuse or shock tube and detonating cord delay connectors;

  (7)  "Explosive weapon", any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb or similar device designed or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death, serious physical injury, or substantial property damage; or any device designed or adapted for delivering or shooting such a weapon.  For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "explosive" shall mean any chemical compound mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, including but not limited to, dynamite and other high explosives, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cords, igniter cords, and igniters or blasting agents;

  (8)  "Firearm", any weapon that is designed or adapted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;

  (9)  "Firearm silencer", any instrument, attachment, or appliance that is designed or adapted to muffle the noise made by the firing of any firearm;

  (10)  "Gas gun", any gas ejection device, weapon, cartridge, container or contrivance other than a gas bomb that is designed or adapted for the purpose of ejecting any poison gas that will cause death or serious physical injury, but not any device that ejects a repellant or temporary incapacitating substance;

  (11)  "Intoxicated", substantially impaired mental or physical capacity resulting from introduction of any substance into the body;

  (12)  "Knife", any dagger, dirk, stiletto, or bladed hand instrument that is readily capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person.  For purposes of this chapter, knife does not include any ordinary pocketknife with no blade more than four inches in length;

  (13)  "Knuckles", any instrument that consists of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance that is designed or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious physical injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles;

  (14)  "Machine gun", any firearm that is capable of firing more than one shot automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger;

  (15)  "Projectile weapon", any bow, crossbow, pellet gun, slingshot or other weapon that is not a firearm, which is capable of expelling a projectile that could inflict serious physical injury or death by striking or piercing a person;

  (16)  "Rifle", any firearm designed or adapted to be fired from the shoulder and to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a projectile through a rifled bore by a single function of the trigger;

  (17)  "School", any charter school, as such term is defined in section 160.400, any private school, as such term is defined in section 166.700, or any public school, as such term is defined in section 160.011;

  (18)  "Short barrel", a barrel length of less than sixteen inches for a rifle and eighteen inches for a shotgun, both measured from the face of the bolt or standing breech, or an overall rifle or shotgun length of less than twenty-six inches;

  (19)  "Shotgun", any firearm designed or adapted to be fired from the shoulder and to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire a number of shot or a single projectile through a smooth bore barrel by a single function of the trigger;

  (20)  "Spring gun", any fused, timed or nonmanually controlled trap or device designed or adapted to set off an explosion for the purpose of inflicting serious physical injury or death;

  (21)  "Switchblade knife", any knife which has a blade that folds or closes into the handle or sheath, and:

  (a)  That opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or

  (b)  That opens or releases from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.

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(L. 1981 H.B. 296, A.L. 1998 S.B. 496, A.L. 2008 H.B. 2034, A.L. 2024 H.B. 2287)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 42 cases (9 in the last 5 years), 1985–2025 · leading case: Martin v. State, 187 S.W.3d 335 (Mo. Ct. App. 2006).
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Martin v. State, 187 S.W.3d 335 (Mo. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 10× “Despite that factual distinction, the general principles of law in Chowning regarding section 571.010(1) are applicable. 5 . Because we conclude that there was a factual basis for first-degree robbery, we need not address Martin’s argument that he was sentenced in excess of the…”
State v. Payne, 250 S.W.3d 815 (Mo. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 6× “Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that the definition in section 571.010 should be applied to the use of the term "switchblade” in section 556.”
State v. Maynard, 714 S.W.2d 552 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 6× “Because, under § 571.010(9), RSMo.Cum.Supp.1984, a pocket knife with a blade no more than four inches long is not a deadly weapon as specified in § 556.”
State v. Dvorak, 295 S.W.3d 493 (Mo. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “Under Section 571.010, the term “intoxicated” is defined as “substantially impaired mental or physical capacity resulting from introduction of any substance into the body[J” Mo.”
State v. Honeycutt, 421 S.W.3d 410 (Mo. 2013). “The circuit court's dismissal without prejudice of Honeycutt’s indictment based on its unconstitutional application of § 571.010 had the practical effect of terminating the litigation and constituted a final and appealable judgment.”
State v. Wahby, 775 S.W.2d 147 (Mo. 1989). · cites it 2× “It is also not disputed that the guns Wahby transferred to him were not “concealable firearms” as defined in section 571.010(2). Wahby contends that the above-quoted statutes are interdependent.”
Richard Long v. State of Missouri, 441 S.W.3d 154 (Mo. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 3× “” Section 571.010(8) RSMo Supp.2009 (em *158 phasis added).”
State v. Meyers, 333 S.W.3d 39 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “]” § 571.010(12), RSMo Cum.Supp.2009. Meyers interprets this language as a declaration by the legislature that ordinary pocketknives are incapable of lethal use.”
State v. Shockley, 512 S.W.3d 90 (Mo. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “twenty-five thousand dollars; or (2) The actor physically takes the property appropriated from the person of the victim; or (3) The property appropriated consists of: (a)Any motor vehicle, watercraft or aircraft; or (b) Any will or unrecorded deed affecting real property; or (c)…”
Herman v. Andrews, 50 S.W.3d 836 (Mo. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “” Section 571.010.(5) RSMo. 1994. 6 . Plaintiffs' request was directed to Coleman Airguns, Inc.”
State v. Harrell, 342 S.W.3d 908 (Mo. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “3(11), regulating weapons in public facilities, that specifically lists "sword,” but not "dagger,” and section 571.010(l)(a), defining "antique firearm” to include a "replica thereof.”
State v. Chowning, 866 S.W.2d 165 (Mo. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 3× “In arguing that the knife was not a dagger, he emphasizes § 571.010(9) which defines a “knife” as: .”
Show all 42 citing cases →
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(1): 1 case
Martin v. State, 187 S.W.3d 335 (Mo. Ct. App. 2006). “Despite that factual distinction, the general principles of law in Chowning regarding section 571.010(1) are applicable. 5 . Because we conclude that there was a factual basis for first-degree robbery, we need not address Martin’s argument that he was sentenced in excess of the…”
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(1)(a): 1 case
State of Missouri v. Dylan Jacob Garoutte III (Mo. Ct. App. 2024).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(10): 2 cases
Martin v. State, 187 S.W.3d 335 (Mo. Ct. App. 2006). “Despite that factual distinction, the general principles of law in Chowning regarding section 571.010(1) are applicable. 5 . Because we conclude that there was a factual basis for first-degree robbery, we need not address Martin’s argument that he was sentenced in excess of the…”
State v. Wood, 301 S.W.3d 578 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(11): 1 case
State v. Dvorak, 295 S.W.3d 493 (Mo. Ct. App. 2009). “Under Section 571.010, the term “intoxicated” is defined as “substantially impaired mental or physical capacity resulting from introduction of any substance into the body[J” Mo.”
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(12): 2 cases
State v. Meyers, 333 S.W.3d 39 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). “]” § 571.010(12), RSMo Cum.Supp.2009. Meyers interprets this language as a declaration by the legislature that ordinary pocketknives are incapable of lethal use.”
State v. Straw, 742 S.W.2d 579 (Mo. Ct. App. 1987).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(14): 2 cases
State v. Hill, 970 S.W.2d 868 (Mo. Ct. App. 1998).
State v. McQuerry, 730 S.W.2d 617 (Mo. Ct. App. 1987).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(18): 1 case
State v. Payne, 250 S.W.3d 815 (Mo. Ct. App. 2008). “Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that the definition in section 571.010 should be applied to the use of the term "switchblade” in section 556.”
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(2): 1 case
State v. Wahby, 775 S.W.2d 147 (Mo. 1989). “It is also not disputed that the guns Wahby transferred to him were not “concealable firearms” as defined in section 571.010(2). Wahby contends that the above-quoted statutes are interdependent.”
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(4): 1 case
State v. Neal, 685 S.W.2d 271 (Mo. Ct. App. 1985).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(5): 3 cases
State v. Carrico, 696 S.W.2d 511 (Mo. Ct. App. 1985).
Donelson v. State, 34 S.W.3d 827 (Mo. Ct. App. 2000).
State v. Straw, 742 S.W.2d 579 (Mo. Ct. App. 1987).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(8): 8 cases
Richard Long v. State of Missouri, 441 S.W.3d 154 (Mo. Ct. App. 2014). “” Section 571.010(8) RSMo Supp.2009 (em *158 phasis added).”
State v. Aborn, 445 S.W.3d 570 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013).
State of Missouri, Plaintiff-respondent v. Steven a. Benford (Mo. Ct. App. 2024).
Rutherford v. Blair (E.D. Mo. 2024).
State of Missouri v. Eric G. Hollowell (Mo. 2022).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(9): 8 cases
State v. Maynard, 714 S.W.2d 552 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). “Because, under § 571.010(9), RSMo.Cum.Supp.1984, a pocket knife with a blade no more than four inches long is not a deadly weapon as specified in § 556.”
State v. Chowning, 866 S.W.2d 165 (Mo. Ct. App. 1993). “In arguing that the knife was not a dagger, he emphasizes § 571.010(9) which defines a “knife” as: .”
State v. Schuler, 838 S.W.2d 19 (Mo. Ct. App. 1992).
State v. Maynard, 707 S.W.2d 810 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986).
State v. Dowdy, 724 S.W.2d 250 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986).
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.010(l)(a): 1 case
State v. Harrell, 342 S.W.3d 908 (Mo. Ct. App. 2011). “3(11), regulating weapons in public facilities, that specifically lists "sword,” but not "dagger,” and section 571.010(l)(a), defining "antique firearm” to include a "replica thereof.”
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