Kansas Gun Laws

Carrying a concealed pistol, revolver, or firearm by a person under 21 years of age is criminal carrying of a weapon (Class A nonperson misdemeanor), except on the person's own land or fixed place of business, or under one of the statute's enumerated permit/license exceptions. Adults 21 and older are not covered by this prohibition and may carry openly or concealed without a license.

"Criminal carrying of a weapon is knowingly carrying any pistol, revolver or other firearm concealed on one's person except when on the person's land or in the person's abode or fixed place of business."

K.S.A. § 21-6302(a)(4) and (c)(2) (carrying-age framework) statute

Senate Bill 45 (2015) authorized the carrying of concealed handguns without a license under the Personal and Family Protection Act. The bill amended K.S.A. 21-6301, 21-6302, 75-7c01, and several related provisions; it was approved by Governor Brownback on April 2, 2015, and took effect July 1, 2015.

"AN ACT concerning firearms; relating to the carrying of concealed firearms; relating to the personal and family protection act."

2015 Senate Bill 45 (enrolled) statute

The Attorney General issues Concealed Carry Handgun Licenses (CCHL) to applicants who comply with the application and training requirements of the Personal and Family Protection Act and are not disqualified under K.S.A. 75-7c04. Licenses are valid statewide for four years from the date of issuance, in either a provisional (ages 18-20) or standard (21+) form.

"The attorney general shall issue licenses to carry concealed handguns to persons who comply with the application and training requirements of this act and who are not disqualified under K.S.A. 75-7c04, and amendments thereto. Such licenses shall be valid throughout the state for a period of four years from the date of issuance."

K.S.A. § 75-7c03 statute

Applicants for a Kansas CCHL must be a resident of the county where the application is made (or of the state), must not be federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or (n) or by certain Kansas convictions, and must be at least 18 years of age for a provisional license or 21 for a standard license. The Attorney General must adopt an eight-hour handgun safety and training course covering safe storage, actual firing of handguns, instruction on Kansas concealed-carry and use-of-deadly-force law, and competency-demonstration requirements.

"For a provisional license, is less than 18 years of age; or for a standard license, is less than 21 years of age. The attorney general shall adopt rules and regulations establishing procedures and standards as authorized by this act for an eight-hour handgun safety and training course."

K.S.A. § 75-7c04 (eligibility, training, age) statute

The Kansas Attorney General's Concealed Carry Licensing Unit administers the CCHL. The application fee is $32.50 payable to the applicant's county sheriff (effective July 1, 2023, the additional Office of the Attorney General fee was reduced to $0). The minimum application age is 18. The 8-hour training course costs approximately $100. The CCHL is valid for four years.

"Effective July 1, 2023, the application fee provided by law is $32.50 payable to the Sheriff of the applicant's county of residence, and the fee to the Office of the Attorney General is reduced to $0. The minimum age to apply for a concealed carry handgun license is 18 years of age."

Kansas Attorney General — Concealed Carry Licensing ag

The Kansas CCHL eligibility statute (K.S.A. 75-7c04) incorporates the federal firearm-prohibition categories under 18 U.S.C. 922(g), which bar nine categories of persons from possessing firearms or ammunition in or affecting commerce: convicted felons, fugitives from justice, unlawful users of controlled substances, persons adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, certain unlawful aliens, persons dishonorably discharged, persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship, persons subject to certain domestic-violence restraining orders, and persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.

"It shall be unlawful for any person [meeting specified criteria] to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition."

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (federally prohibited persons) secondary

Open carry by adults lawfully in possession of a firearm is not prohibited under state law. Kansas's preemption statute bars cities and counties from adopting or enforcing any ordinance regulating the open or concealed carry of a firearm, with limited exceptions for municipal employee personnel policies, secured-building rules under K.S.A. 75-7c20, and law-enforcement duties.

"No city or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation, and no agent of any city or county shall take any administrative action, governing the... carrying... of firearms."

K.S.A. § 12-16,124 (preemption — local open-carry bans void) statute

A non-prohibited adult 21 or older may carry a loaded handgun in a private motor vehicle — including the glove box, center console, or trunk, and loaded — without a license. Kansas residents aged 18-20 must hold a valid provisional CCHL to carry concealed in a vehicle.

"Criminal carrying of a weapon is knowingly carrying any pistol, revolver or other firearm concealed on one's person except when on the person's land or in the person's abode or fixed place of business."

K.S.A. § 21-6302 (criminal carrying of a weapon) statute

Kansas's guns-in-trunks rule under the Personal and Family Protection Act protects the storage of a handgun in an employee's private vehicle even while parked on the employer's premises. A private employer may otherwise restrict concealed carry on the premises through personnel policy, but may not extend that policy to prohibit storage in a personal vehicle. Public employers also may not restrict an employee from carrying outside the employer's place of business (e.g., in a vehicle).

"No private employer shall prohibit an employee from possessing a handgun on the employer's premises in a private means of conveyance, even if parked on the employer's premises."

K.S.A. § 75-7c10(b) (private-employer parking-lot protection) statute

Kansas recognizes any valid concealed-carry license or permit issued by another state or the District of Columbia, but only while the holder is not a resident of Kansas. A Kansas resident may not rely on an out-of-state permit to carry concealed in Kansas; residents 21+ may carry without a permit, and residents 18-20 must hold a Kansas provisional CCHL.

"A valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another jurisdiction shall be recognized in this state, but only while the holder is not a resident of Kansas."

K.S.A. § 75-7c03(c) — non-resident permit recognition statute

As published by the Kansas Attorney General, 39 states have acknowledged that they recognize the Kansas Concealed Carry Handgun License: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

"The states below have previously acknowledged that they recognize the Kansas CCHL. States not included, by default, will not currently recognize the Kansas CCHL."

Kansas Attorney General — Out-of-State License Recognition ag

Kansas codifies a castle doctrine covering a person's dwelling, place of work, or occupied vehicle. A person is justified in using deadly force to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry into or attack upon such a place when the person reasonably believes such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm; no duty to retreat applies when defending these places.

"A person is justified in the use of deadly force to prevent or terminate unlawful entry into or attack upon any dwelling, place of work or occupied vehicle if such person reasonably believes that such use of deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to such person or another."

K.S.A. § 21-5223 (defense of dwelling, place of work, or occupied vehicle) statute

Kansas is a stand-your-ground state: a person who is not engaged in unlawful activity and is attacked in a place where the person has a right to be has no duty to retreat and may use any force justified under the use-of-force statutes (K.S.A. 21-5202 through 21-5212 and 21-5220 through 21-5231).

"A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in a place where such person has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand such person's ground and use any force which such person would be justified in using."

K.S.A. § 21-5230 (no duty to retreat) statute

A person whose use of force is justified under K.S.A. 21-5222, 21-5223, or 21-5225 is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, subject to the K.S.A. 21-5226 aggressor/forcible-felony exception (which denies justification to an initial aggressor or to a person engaged in the commission of a forcible felony). A law-enforcement agency may investigate but may not arrest the person unless it determines there is probable cause for the arrest.

"A person who uses force which, subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 21-5226, and amendments thereto, is justified pursuant to K.S.A. 21-5222, 21-5223 or 21-5225, and amendments thereto, is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force."

K.S.A. § 21-5231 (immunity from prosecution) statute

Kansas's defense-of-person statute, cross-referenced by the stand-your-ground immunity provision (K.S.A. 21-5231), justifies the use of force against another when the actor reasonably believes such force is necessary to defend himself, herself, or a third person against another's imminent use of unlawful force. Deadly force is justified when reasonably believed necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.

"A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent it appears to such person and such person reasonably believes that such use of force is necessary to defend such person or a third person against such other's imminent use of unlawful force."

K.S.A. § 21-5222 (use of force in defense of a person) statute

Cross-referenced by the stand-your-ground immunity provision (K.S.A. 21-5231), this statute justifies the use of force — but not deadly force — to prevent or terminate unlawful interference with property other than a dwelling, place of work, or occupied vehicle. Force is limited to what a reasonable person would deem necessary.

"A person who is lawfully in possession of property other than a dwelling, place of work or occupied vehicle is justified in the use of force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating an unlawful interference with such property."

K.S.A. § 21-5225 (use of force in defense of property other than dwelling) statute

The justification for use of force under K.S.A. 21-5222, 21-5223, and 21-5225 is unavailable to a person who is attempting, committing, or escaping from a forcible felony; who initially provokes the use of force against any person with intent to use that force as an excuse to inflict bodily harm upon the assailant; or who initially provokes the use of force unless the actor withdraws and effectively communicates that withdrawal. This is the cross-referenced limit on stand-your-ground and castle-doctrine immunity.

"The justification described in K.S.A. 21-5222, 21-5223 and 21-5225, and amendments thereto, is not available to a person who: (a) Is attempting to commit, committing or escaping from the commission of a forcible felony."

K.S.A. § 21-5226 (aggressor exception to use-of-force justification) statute

Kansas law does not impose a duty on a CCHL holder, or on a person carrying under permitless carry, to proactively inform a law-enforcement officer that they are armed. The Attorney General's office recommends voluntary disclosure but states no statute requires it.

"If stopped by law enforcement, do I have to volunteer that I have a CCHL and/or concealed handgun? Not in Kansas, but you should strongly consider doing so."

Kansas AG Concealed Carry FAQ — no statutory duty to disclose ag

Possessing any firearm on K-12 public or accredited nonpublic school property, grounds, or at any school-sponsored activity is a Class B nonperson select misdemeanor under K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(11), subject to enumerated exceptions including possession by a Kansas CCHL holder who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm, written authorization from the superintendent, firearms-safety instruction, secured-in-vehicle by a parent delivering a student, and other narrow exceptions.

"possessing any firearm by any person, other than a law enforcement officer, 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 one through 12."

K.S.A. § 21-6301(a)(11) (schools) statute

It is unlawful (a Class A misdemeanor) to possess a firearm in any building in the Kansas Capitol Complex, in or on the grounds of the Governor's Residence, in any state-owned or leased building where the Secretary of Administration has so designated and conspicuously posted signs, or in any county courthouse unless authorized by county resolution. Statutory exceptions cover law enforcement, military, the Governor and authorized guests, certain attorneys, and individuals lawfully carrying a concealed handgun under K.S.A. 75-7c03 (21+ or holding a provisional license).

"It shall be unlawful to possess, with no requirement of a culpable mental state, a firearm: (1) Within any building located within the capitol complex; (2) within the governor's residence... (5) within any county courthouse, unless, by county resolution, the board of county commissioners authorize the possession of a firearm within such courthouse."

K.S.A. § 21-6309 (capitol complex, governor's residence, county courthouses) statute

Concealed carry is permitted in any private building unless the building is conspicuously posted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Attorney General. Carrying past a valid posting does not result in criminal penalty under the Personal and Family Protection Act itself but may be the basis for a criminal-trespass charge if the person refuses to leave when asked.

"The carrying of a concealed handgun shall not be prohibited in any building unless such building is conspicuously posted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the attorney general."

K.S.A. § 75-7c10 (posted private buildings) statute

Concealed handguns may not be prohibited in the public areas of any state or municipal building unless the building has adequate security measures (electronic equipment and armed personnel at public entrances to detect and restrict weapons) AND is conspicuously posted. Limited classes of buildings (correctional facilities, courtrooms, state hospitals, mental health centers, public medical-care facilities and adult care homes, and similar) may prohibit carry without the adequate-security requirement.

"The carrying of a concealed handgun shall not be prohibited in any state or municipal building unless such building has adequate security measures to ensure that no weapons are permitted to be carried into such building and the building is conspicuously posted."

K.S.A. § 75-7c20 (state and municipal buildings — secured-building rule) statute

Knowingly possessing or carrying a loaded firearm on one's person, or within the person's immediate access and control while in a vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a firearm is a Class A nonperson misdemeanor. A blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is prima facie evidence of impairment. Conviction triggers mandatory CCHL revocation (minimum one year for a first offense, three years for a subsequent offense).

"Unlawful possession of a firearm under the influence is knowingly possessing or carrying a loaded firearm on or about such person, or within such person's immediate access and control while in a vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

K.S.A. § 21-6332 (firearm possession under the influence) statute

Federally licensed firearm dealers in Kansas must run the federally required NICS background check before transferring a firearm. Kansas has no state-level universal background check law: private, in-state firearm transfers between non-licensees are not required to go through NICS.

"Federal law requires Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to initiate a background check on prospective firearm purchasers through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)."

ATF — Brady NICS / federal background-check framework atf

Federal law requires that handguns be purchased from a federally licensed dealer only by buyers 21 or older, while long guns may be purchased from an FFL at 18. Kansas adds no separate state-minimum purchase age for long guns or handguns at retail beyond federal law; K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(14) makes it a state crime for a person under 18 to possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal) / K.S.A. § 21-6301(a)(14) (under-18 short-barreled firearm prohibition) atf

Kansas does not require firearm registration. The state preemption statute prohibits cities and counties from regulating the registration of firearms or ammunition, and the state itself has not enacted a registration scheme under the Personal and Family Protection Act.

"No city or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation... regarding the... registration... of firearms, ammunition or firearm components."

K.S.A. § 12-16,124 (preemption — no firearm registry permitted at any level) statute

Kansas has not enacted an extreme risk protection order (red-flag) law. The Personal and Family Protection Act and the criminal-use-of-weapons statutes contain no ERPO mechanism, and the preemption statute precludes local governments from creating one.

"No city or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation... governing the... carrying... of firearms, ammunition or firearm components."

K.S.A. ch. 21 art. 62 — no state ERPO statute statute

Kansas has no state assault-weapon ban, and the state preemption statute bars cities and counties from adopting one. Regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components is reserved to the state.

"No city or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation... regarding the... taxation... of firearms, ammunition or firearm components."

K.S.A. § 12-16,124 (preemption) statute

Kansas imposes no magazine-capacity limit by statute. The state preemption statute also prohibits cities and counties from imposing local capacity restrictions on firearms, ammunition, or firearm components.

"No city or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation... regarding the... carrying... of firearms, ammunition or firearm components."

K.S.A. § 12-16,124 (preemption) — no state magazine limit statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration. Kansas does not impose an additional state ban on NFA-registered items.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Kansas's criminal-use-of-weapons statute prohibits the sale, manufacture, purchase, or possession of suppressors, short-barreled shotguns (barrel under 18 inches), and fully automatic firearms — but K.S.A. 21-6301(h) exempts any person or entity in compliance with the federal National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq.). The practical effect is that NFA-registered suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and machine guns are lawful to possess in Kansas.

"Subsections (a)(4) and (a)(5) shall not apply to or affect any person or entity in compliance with the national firearms act, 26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq."

K.S.A. § 21-6301(a)(4)-(5) and (d)-(h) (state NFA framework) statute

Kansas preempts local regulation of firearms, ammunition, and firearm components, including fees, licensing, permitting, commerce, sale, purchase, transfer, ownership, storage, carrying, transporting, and taxation. Limited local authority remains over municipal-employee personnel policies, secured-building rules under K.S.A. 75-7c20, and law-enforcement duties. Any local ordinance adopted before July 1, 2015 that violated the preemption rule was rendered null and void.

"No city or county shall adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation, and no agent of any city or county shall take any administrative action, governing the... carrying... of firearms, ammunition or firearm components."

K.S.A. § 12-16,124 statute

Effective July 1, 2015, Kansas enacted SB 45, allowing eligible adults 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a license. The Attorney General's CCHL program remained available for residents who wanted a license for reciprocity purposes.

"AN ACT concerning firearms; relating to the carrying of concealed firearms; relating to the personal and family protection act."

2015 Senate Bill 45 (enrolled) statute

Effective July 1, 2021, House Bill 2058 amended the Personal and Family Protection Act to create a provisional CCHL for residents aged 18-20 (while keeping the standard license at 21+); restricted out-of-state license recognition to non-Kansas residents only; and enacted the Kansas Protection of Firearm Rights Act, restoring firearm rights upon expungement of certain convictions. The Governor's veto was overridden by both chambers on May 3, 2021.

"For a provisional license, is less than 18 years of age; or for a standard license, is less than 21 years of age."

2021 House Bill 2058 (enrolled) statute

Effective July 1, 2023, the Kansas Attorney General's portion of the CCHL application fee was reduced to $0; the $32.50 fee payable to the applicant's county sheriff remains. The fee for late renewal was also eliminated.

"Effective July 1, 2023, the application fee provided by law is $32.50 payable to the Sheriff of the applicant's county of residence, and the fee to the Office of the Attorney General is reduced to $0."

Kansas Attorney General — CCHL fee reduction effective 2023-07-01 ag

Effective July 1, 2023, the Attorney General's portion of the CCHL application fee was reduced from $100 to $0, leaving only the $32.50 fee payable to the applicant's county sheriff. The fee for late renewal was also eliminated.

Kansas Attorney General — Concealed Carry Licensing fee schedule

House Bill 2058 created a Provisional Concealed Carry Handgun License for residents aged 18-20, restricted recognition of out-of-state permits to non-Kansas residents only, and enacted the Kansas Protection of Firearm Rights Act restoring firearm rights upon expungement of certain convictions. Governor Kelly vetoed the bill on April 23, 2021; both chambers overrode the veto on May 3, 2021.

2021 House Bill 2058

Kansas SB 45, signed by Governor Brownback on April 2, 2015, amended the Personal and Family Protection Act to allow eligible adults 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a license. The Attorney General's office continued to issue the optional CCHL for reciprocity purposes.

2015 Senate Bill 45