Columbia Firearms in city buildings ordinance (§ 16-247)
Chapter 16: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions · Article II. Code of Offenses
In short: Concealed carry endorsement or permit holders can't carry firearms into city-owned, leased or controlled buildings on that authority, except public housing, highways, rest areas, firing ranges and city-controlled private dwellings. Violators may be denied entry or told to leave; city employees may also be disciplined.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) No person who has been issued a concealed carry endorsement by the Missouri Director of Revenue under Section 571.094 RSMo or who has been issued a valid permit or endorsement to carry concealed firearms, issued by another state or political subdivision of another state, shall, by authority of that endorsement or permit, be allowed to carry a concealed firearm or to openly carry a firearm readily capable of lethal use in any building or portion of a building owned, leased or controlled by the city.
(b) Signs shall be posted at each entrance of a building entirely owned, leased or controlled by the city stating that carrying of firearms is prohibited. Where the city owns, leases or controls only a portion of a building, signs shall be posted at each entrance to those portions of the building owned, leased or controlled by the city stating that carrying of firearms is prohibited.
(c) This section shall not apply to buildings used for public housing by private persons, highways or rest areas, firing ranges, or private dwellings owned, leased or controlled by the city.
(d) Any person violating this section may be denied entrance to the building or ordered to leave the building. Any city employee violating this section may be disciplined under the provisions of Chapter 19. No other penalty shall be imposed for a violation of this section.
(e) No person who has been issued a certificate of qualification which allows the person to carry a concealed firearm before the director of revenue begins issuing concealed carry endorsements in July, 2004, shall, by authority of that certificate, be allowed to carry a concealed firearm or to openly carry a firearm
readily capable of lethal use in any building or portion of a building owned, leased or controlled by the city.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 16-247
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.