A look at state, federal gun laws after mid-Missouri man charged in Washington, D.C.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Authorities arrested a Centralia man Wednesday for his suspected role in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Prosecutors charged Jerod Bargar for bringing a gun into the District of Columbia with out a permit and on restricted grounds at the U.S Capitol.

Bargar claimed he did not know that it was illegal to possess a gun in Washington, D.C. or on federal property.

Bargar told investigators that he is always armed and wanted to be armed when he went to the "belly of the beast" for his own "self-protection."

In Missouri, open carry and concealed carry is legal without a concealed carry permit for anyone over the age of 19 years old or 18 years old, if they are enlisted in the military or have been honorably discharged.

Attorney and Missouri Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement firearms instructor and specialist, Dale Roberts, advises gun owners to still take a open carry class to learn the laws and to learn how to properly handle firearms.

"We have pretty good firearm laws and extensive rights in Missouri. But, that's just Missouri. People need to understand the laws are different in each state and jurisdiction and really, it's your responsibility as a firearms owner to know the law," Roberts said.

There are places in Missouri where it is illegal to posses a firearm. Roberts said it is not lawful to carry a weapon in a federal building or on federal property.

"Absolutely cannot take it in the post office, absolutely cannot take it into VA hospitals, federal property, you couldn't take it into a Social Security building," Roberts said.

Conceal and carry permits can be beneficial to understand and learn the laws, as well as making sure you are covered when you do leave Missouri. However, not every state recognizes Missouri conceal and carry permits. Missouri's Attorney General website has a detailed map showing which states recognize conceal and carry permits.

Missouri's neighboring states that recognize CCPs include:

• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Arkansas
• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• Iowa

Nebraska only recognizes Missouri permits if the permit holder is 21 years of age or older. Illinois does not recognize Missouri permits.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, in D.C. a resident or nonresident may apply for a concealed carry pistol license at the Firearms Registration Branch (FRB), if all requirements are met. These requirements include:

• 21 years of age
• meet the requirements to register a firearm and suitability requirements
• meet the required safety and qualifications standards

Additional requirements and how to register for a FRB can be found at mpdc.dc.gov/firearms.

Bargar is accused of carrying a firearm in the District of Columbia and on federal property, which is illegal in any state.