The Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff's Department will be accepting appications for Carrying Concealed weapons starting at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday April 1, 2004.

All Applicants need the following before you apply:

• Proof of training from a qualified firearms safety instructor
• Valid Missouri Driver's License , Non-Driver's License, or Military I.D.
• Two Checks: One for $38.00 Payable to "State of Missouri Criminal Records System", and the second for $62.00 Payable to the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff's revolving fund.

• Be at least 23 years of age
• Be a citizien of the United States
• Have resided in Missouri for at least six months or be a member of the military, or the spouse of a member, stationed in Missouri
• Not have been found guilty of a felony
• Not have been found guilty, in the five years preceding the application, of a misdemeanor involving a crime of violence or two misdemeanors involving either alcohol-related driving offenses or possession of a controlled substance.
• Not be a fugitive from justice
• Not be currently charged with a felony
• Not be dishonorably discharged from the armed forces
• Not have engaged in a pattern behavior, documented in public records, that causes the sheriff to have a reasonable belief that the applicant presents a danger to himself, herself, or others
• Not have been adjudged mentally incompetant or released from a mental health facility for five years prior to the application
• Not be the respondent in a valid full order of protection currently in effect
• Be fingerprinted
• Clear a criminal background check by the state and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Comply with the training requirements established by the bill

• Where can I apply for a permit? You must apply for the permit at the Sheriff's Office in the county you reside in.
• When can I apply? The law takes affect October 11, however that falls on a saturday when the office is closed so you must wait until Monday, October 13th.
• How much does the permit cost? $100.00, after three years there can be a $50.00 renewal fee.
• How long does the Sheriff have to make a decision on my application? The Sheriff has 45 days. If the background check is not done by then, the Sheriff must issued the permit. It can be revoked later if a disqualifying factor is found.
• What will the permit look like? The Sheriff will give you a certificate of qualification. That will be your permit until July 1. At that time, you will take your certificate to the Missouri Department of Revenue which will issue new drivers licenses and nondrivers licenses that include endorsements for those certified to carry concealed weapons.
• If I get a permit, can I carry my concealed gun everywhere? NO. You cannot carry it into a Police Station, Sheriff's Department, polling place, prison, jail, courtroom, airport, hospital or sports stadium that seats at least 5,000 people. You also can't take a gun into meetings of the governing body of a city or county or the state legislature. Those public bodies can restrict guns in their buildings by posting signs. Guns cannot be taken into bars, casinos, amusement parks, childcare facilities, schools, colleges or places of religous worship without the consent of people respresenting those organizations.
• Are there special provisions for elected officials? Yes. Permit-holding members of the city and county governing bodies and the legislature can carry hidden guns into their own meetings.
• What about private property? Owners of private property can post their premises as being off limits to concealed guns. Signs must be at least 11 by 14 inches with lettering at least one inch tall.
• Can I check public records to determine if my neighbor has a concealed weapon permit? No. The records are closed.