[kt56]

Anybody know if the law requires them to issue the permits or just allows them to issue permits?

MO is now a SHALL ISSUE state.
Although, because of the unfunded mandate issue(Handcock Amnedment), which the MOSC left a confusing mess, some counties are still dragging their feet. There is legislation pending to clear that up.

In the mean time, state permits from PA and FL, to name two, are legal. I have my PA permit now, just waiting for the MO to come through. I live in St Charles county and our sheriff is taking applications and issuing.

[GrandEagle]

MO is now a SHALL ISSUE state.
That would throw it into the "unfunded mandate" category.
Still, they should be able to work the issues out.
Good luck with it!
Alabama (my state) is technically a "may issue" state but in reality any Sheriff that didn't issure them would not make re-election.