Re: first step in buying a can?
Excerpt from Missouri House Bill 2034, passed and signed into law June 26, 2008, and effective as of August 26, 2008.
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(5) Was incident to dealing with the weapon solely as a curio, ornament, or keepsake, or to using it in a manner reasonably related to a lawful dramatic performance; but if the weapon is a type described in subdivision (1)[,] or (4) [or (6)] of subsection 1 of this section it must be in such a nonfunctioning condition that it cannot readily be made operable. <span style="font-weight: bold">No short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, [or] machine gun, or firearm silencer may be possessed, manufactured, transported, repaired or sold as a curio, ornament, or keepsake, unless such person is an importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector licensed by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to the Gun Control Act of 1968</span>, U.S.C., Title 18, or unless such firearm is an "antique firearm" as defined in subsection 3 of section 571.080, or unless such firearm has been designated a "collectors item" by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to the U.S.C., Title 26, Section 5845(a).
<span style="font-style: italic">Emphasis added</span>
Missouri House Bill 2034 Full Text
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Since the legislation makes allowance for collectors to obtain and use functioning silencers and other class 3 materials, the most expeditious legal method to obtain a class 3 item in Missouri is to obtain a C&R license and be designated a collector of Curios and Relics as a resident of the state.