Cameron Miranda
Kansas is known for its fairly lax gun laws, allowing individuals to carry handguns in public without a license or permit. The state also does not require a license to purchase handguns, nor is firearm registration or background checks necessary. While Kansas allows the carrying of concealed handguns without a permit, obtaining a license to carry (LTC) can provide additional legal protection and streamline interactions with law enforcement. Kansas recognizes prior handgun training of retired law enforcement and current Department of Corrections officers, parole officers, and Federal Bureau of Prisons officers. However, it is unclear whether law enforcement officers are exempt from these requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law enforcement officers required to disclose concealed handguns | Only when directly asked |
| Kansas law on open carry | Legal without a license |
| Kansas law on concealed carry | Legal without a license |
| Kansas law on firearm license | Not required for purchase of handguns |
| Kansas law on background checks | Not required for private sales |
| Kansas law on background checks | Required for purchases from Federal Firearms Dealer |
| Kansas law on firearm training | Safety and training courses taken outside Kansas can satisfy permitting requirement if certified by the attorney general |
| Kansas law on firearm training exemptions | Recognizes prior handgun training of retired law enforcement (if retired less than 8 years) |
| Kansas law on firearm training exemptions | Recognizes prior handgun training of current Department of Corrections officers, parole officers, and Federal Bureau of Prisons officers (if completed within the past 12 months) |
| Kansas law on firearm training | Must be certified or sponsored by the National Rifle Association, a college, law enforcement agency, or a handgun training school approved by the attorney general |
| Kansas law on firearm possession | Permitted for anyone over the age of 18 |
| Kansas law on firearm possession | Concealed carry permitted for anyone over the age of 21 |
| Kansas law on firearm possession | Concealed carry not permitted in K-12 school buildings or at school events |
| Kansas law on firearm possession | Concealed carry not permitted in buildings with posted signage and security, including security guards and metal detectors |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas gun laws allow open carry without a license
Kansas has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country, and its legislation is generally considered to be pro-gun. In Kansas, anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm may openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit. This means that, provided an individual is not prohibited from owning a firearm, they are permitted to carry one in public, either openly or concealed, without the need for a license. The minimum age to obtain a provisional Carry Handgun License (CCHL) is 18 years old, and 21 years old for a standard CCHL.
Kansas is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that the local authorities will issue a license to carry a handgun to any applicant who meets the necessary criteria. There are no requirements for licenses to purchase handguns, and no firearms registration. Background checks are not required for private sales, but they are required if purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Dealer, unless the purchaser has a Kansas concealed carry handgun license.
Kansas recognizes prior handgun training of retired law enforcement (if retired less than 8 years) and current Department of Corrections officers, parole officers, or Federal Bureau of Prisons officers if completed within the past 12 months. Safety and training courses taken outside the state of Kansas can satisfy the state's concealed carry permitting requirement if the attorney general has certified that the out-of-state course meets or exceeds the standards set by Kansas law.
In addition, as of July 1, 2021, all valid concealed carry licenses/permits issued by another jurisdiction are recognized in Kansas for non-residents. Kansas residents can carry a concealed defensive firearm in the state of Oklahoma without any type of license, but they must carry their Kansas driver's license or state-issued ID.
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Law enforcement officers must be informed of concealed carry
In the state of Kansas, open and concealed carry are legal without a license. Anyone over the age of 18 can openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit, and anyone over 21 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit.
While Kansas law does not require a license to carry a firearm, there are duty to inform laws in place in many states, including Kansas, that require individuals to disclose the presence of their firearm to law enforcement officers. These laws vary from state to state, with some requiring immediate disclosure upon contact with law enforcement, some requiring disclosure only when asked, and others having no duty to inform laws at all.
In states with duty to inform laws, it is important to disclose the presence of a firearm immediately upon making contact with law enforcement. For example, if an individual is pulled over for a traffic violation, they must inform the officer that they have a firearm on their person or in their vehicle. Failure to do so could result in legal consequences.
It is recommended to phrase the disclosure as, "I am carrying a concealed firearm, officer, and I have a permit for it." The officer may then ask for the location of the firearm and provide instructions on how to proceed. It is important to follow the officer's instructions and avoid making any sudden movements. Disclosing this information helps build trust during the encounter and ensures the interaction remains safe and calm.
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Retired law enforcement officers are exempt from safety training
Kansas is a permitless carry state, meaning that any person aged 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license. Additionally, anyone aged 18 or older can openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit.
Retired law enforcement officers in Kansas are exempt from safety training under certain conditions. The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act allows retired officers to be exempt from basic training if they have been certified in Kansas within the previous five years. However, they must pass a Challenge Examination to qualify for this exemption.
Retired officers from the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department must meet the requirements of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2010. This includes being authorised to engage in or supervise law enforcement duties, retiring in good standing, having served for an aggregate of 10 years or more, and having a non-forfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan.
Retired officers seeking to qualify for firearm use must complete an application, sign a liability waiver, provide government-issued photo ID, and attend a range and firearms safety and training briefing. They must also pass a safety quiz with a score of 100% before being permitted to handle firearms. While safety training is generally required for law enforcement officers in Kansas, retired officers can be exempt under specific circumstances, provided they meet the necessary requirements and pass the necessary tests.
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Kansas has fairly lax gun laws
Kansas has no requirements for licenses to purchase handguns, and no firearms registration. Background checks are not required for private sales, and open carry is legal without a license. Kansas is also a Castle Doctrine state, meaning it has a "stand your ground" statute, and there is no duty to retreat anywhere a person has a legal right to be.
The state does have some gun control measures in place, such as requiring gun owners to notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen, and barring gun possession by people who have been involuntarily committed or found to be a danger to themselves or others. Kansas also requires new handgun models sold in the state to include microstamping technology, and bars concealed carry by people with assault or other violent misdemeanour convictions.
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Kansas does not allow concealed carry in schools
Kansas has a history of passing laws that favour the right to carry firearms. In 2015, Kansas passed a law that allows any person aged 21 or older to carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. The state also recognizes permits from other states, even if the holder is under 21. Kansas law also allows anyone over the age of 18 to openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit, provided they are legally entitled to possess a firearm.
However, Kansas does not allow concealed carry in schools. Kansas law prohibits possessing a firearm "in or on any school property or grounds upon which is located a building or structure used by a unified school district or an accredited nonpublic school for student instruction or attendance or extracurricular activities of pupils enrolled in kindergarten or any of the grades 1 through 12 or at any regularly scheduled school-sponsored activity or event." This prohibition does not apply to firearms secured in a motor vehicle by a parent, guardian, or custodian who is delivering or collecting a student. It also does not apply to individuals who are not prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law.
While Kansas law generally allows for the concealed carry of firearms without a license, there are specific places where such carry is prohibited, and schools are one of those places. The law specifically mentions "any school property or grounds" that are used for student instruction, attendance, or extracurricular activities for students from kindergarten to grade 12. This indicates that the prohibition applies to primary and secondary schools and likely does not include public colleges or universities, which have different guidelines regarding concealed carry.
It is important to note that while Kansas does not allow concealed carry in schools, there may be exceptions for law enforcement officers. The law states that records of concealed weapons license holders are generally confidential, but "the attorney general maintains an automated listing of license holders and pertinent information, and such information is available upon request at all times to all law enforcement agencies when requested for a legitimate law enforcement purpose." This suggests that law enforcement officers may be exempt from the prohibition on concealed carry in schools under certain circumstances. However, it is essential to refer to the specific statutes and regulations governing Kansas's laws regarding firearms and schools to understand the precise parameters and exemptions for law enforcement officers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kansas is a state that allows the carrying of concealed handguns without a permit. However, obtaining a license can provide additional legal protection and streamline interactions with law enforcement.
To open carry in Kansas, you must be at least 18 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm. There are no requirements for licenses to purchase handguns and no firearms registration.
It is illegal to open carry in K-12 school buildings or at school events. Guns are also prohibited in buildings with posted signage and security, which includes security guards and metal detectors.
