Duty to Inform Officer You're Carrying?

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Kansas.

DRIVER'S LICENSE LINKED TO Carry License?

Yes. Your Kansas driver’s license is linked to your Kansas concealed carry handgun license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

No. Kansas law does not recognize "No Weapons Allowed" signs.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO CONCEALED CARRY REGISTRY?

Kansas does not allow personal application or license information of concealed weapons license holders to be made public, however the information is available for law enforcement. In addition, records of individuals who have had their licenses suspended or revoked are open to inspection under the state’s public records act.

Carry While Using Alcohol or Drugs?

Not while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, to such a degree as to render such person incapable of safely operating a firearm. [Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6332] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Yes. The state has preemption over regulating firearms, except local municipalities may: Prohibit concealed handguns in state and municipal buildings that have adequate security measures, including electronic equipment and personnel; and Prohibit public employees from carrying concealed handguns while on the premises of the employer’s business or while engaged in the duties of the person’s employment. [Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-16, 124][Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-7c10(a) and (b)]

No definition of brandishing was found in Kansas law. However, assault is knowingly placing another person in reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm. Aggravated assault is assault committed with a deadly weapon. [Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5412(a) & (b)(1)]

No. Kansas does not have a red flag law.

WEAR A COVID MASK & CARRY?

There is no known statute in Kansas making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.

CARRY WHILE GUN HUNTING?

Yes. [Kan. Stat. Ann. § 32-1002(c)(3)]

HUNTER HARASSMENT LAW?

Yes. No person shall willfully obstruct or impede the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of hunting, fur harvesting or fishing. [Kan. Stat. Ann § 32-1014]

WHAT ARE THE KNIFE LAWS IN KANSAS?

It is legal to open and concealed carry all knives that are legal to own in Kansas. It is illegal to possess with intent to use unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, blackjack, slungshot, dangerous knife, straight-edged razor, throwing star, stiletto, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character. Ballistic knives and throwing stars are illegal. Students are prohibited from carrying switchblades or gravity knives on school property. [K.S.A. §§ 21-6301(a), 21-6301(m)(4), 21-6302 & 72-89a01]

CARRY IN BARS/RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE ALCOHOL?

Yes, unless posted and provided you are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs

STORE IN A VEHICLE IN AN EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT?

No employer may prohibit possession of a handgun in a private means of conveyance, even if parked on the employer’s premises. In addition, no public employer shall restrict or otherwise prohibit by personnel policies any employee, who is legally qualified, from carrying any concealed handgun while engaged in the duties of such employee's employment outside of such employer's place of business, including while in a means of conveyance. [Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-7c10(b)]

CARRY/POSSESS AT A HOTEL?

Kansas statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

Yes, without a license for anyone at least 21 years old and allowed to possess a firearm. The minimum age for possessing and transporting a handgun unloaded and secured in a vehicle without any type of permit/license to carry firearms is 18.

Kickapoo Tribe - No Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation - No

Kansas gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Kansas is a shall-issue, permitless carry state. Licenses are issued at the state level by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

There are no requirements for licenses to purchase handguns and no firearms registration. Background checks are not required for private sales. Background checks are required if you’re purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Dealer, with the exception of Kansas concealed carry handgun license holders.

Open and concealed carry are legal without a license in Kansas. Anyone at least 18 years of age and legally entitled to possess a firearm may openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit. Permitless concealed carry is legal for anyone at least 21 years old that is not prohibited from carrying a firearm. Carry Handgun Licenses (CCHLs) are restricted to residents and members of the military stationed in Kansas. The minimum age to obtain a provisional CCHL is 18 years old and 21 years old to obtain a standard CCHL. Applicants must complete an 8-hour handgun safety and training course approved by the attorney general. In terms of reciprocity, since Kansas has permitless carry, any person 21 years of age and older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit. In addition, as of July 1, 2021, all valid concealed carry licenses/permits issued by another jurisdiction are recognized in Kansas for non-residents.

The minimum age to possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches long is 18 years old and individuals under 21 years of age may concealed carry only when on their own land, abode, or fixed place of business. There are other exceptions for 18-year-olds, including when attending a firearms safety course, target shooting at established ranges or when hunting.

Where can I carry with my Kansas permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

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Kansas Concealed Carry License Information

Valid For:

4 years

Processing Time:

90 days

Residency Changes:

Moving to Kansas and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Kansas issues licenses to residents and active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in the state. You can apply for your license with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office once you are a resident of Kansas with a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card, or reside in Kansas while serving on active duty in the military.

Moving from Kansas and have a Kansas resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Kansas license remains valid?If a person with a Kansas concealed carry handgun license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

Requirements:

An applicant must:

Be at least 21 years old (based on the passage of HB 2058, 18 to 20 year olds are able to apply for provisional CCHLs as of July 1, 2021);
Have completed an 8-hour firearms training course or other approved training;
Be a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident alien or an eligible non-immigrant alien;
Be a resident of the State of Kansas with a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card, or reside in Kansas while serving on active duty in the military;
Be a resident of the county where applying;
Have read the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act and be familiar with its provisions; and
Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Kansas.

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:

Non-resident licenses are limited to active-duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in Kansas. The process is the same as for residents.

Lost/Stolen Licenses:

Licensees must notify the Concealed Carry Licensing Unit (CCLU) of the attorney general’s office in writing within 30 days of losing a concealed carry handgun license or having it stolen. Complete the Lost or Destroyed Permit form and have it notarized. Mail it along with a fee of $15.00 in the form of a cashier’s check, personal check or money order made payable to the Office of Attorney General at the address on the form. Once notified, the CCLU will send the licensee an approval notice to re-issue the license. The licensee will have to go to an approved Kansas Department of Revenue station to obtain the re-issued CCHL. The Kansas Department of Revenue will charge a fee to generate a new CCHL.

Name/Address Changes:

Complete the online Change of Name/Address Notification Form.

Fees:

Initial License $32.50

Renewals $25

Application:

Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act

Link to application

How to get a Kansas Concealed Weapons Permit

Step 1:

Complete a firearm training course if required.

Step 2:

Download and read the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act.

Step 3:

Download and complete the application.

Step 4:

Take the completed application with the following documents to the sheriff in the county of residence:

Photocopy of certificate showing completion of training course
A 2-by-2-inch passport-style color photograph taken within the preceding 30 days
A photocopy of your Kansas driver’s license or Kansas identification card
A $32.50 check payable to the sheriff of the applicant’s county of residence (Effective July 1, 2023, the application fee to the Office of the Attorney General is reduced to $0.)

Step 5:

You will be notified if your application has been approved.

Kansas Self-Defense Laws

Self-Defense

Kansas is a Castle Doctrine state and has adopted a “stand your ground” statute.There is no duty to retreat anywhere a person has a legal right to be.

Defense of Property Other Than Dwelling, Place of Work or Occupied Vehicle

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 for the purpose of preventing or terminating an unlawful interference with such property. Only such use of force as a reasonable person would deem necessary to prevent or terminate the interference may intentionally be used.

[Kan. Stat. Ann § 21-5222, 21-5223, 21-5224 & 21-5225]

Defense of Person

A person is justified in the use of force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such use of force is necessary to defend the person or a third person against the imminent use of unlawful force.

A person is justified in the use of deadly force 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 a third person.

Defense of Dwelling, Place of Work or Occupied Vehicle

A person is justified in the use of force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such use of force is necessary to prevent or terminate such other’s unlawful entry into or attack upon such person’s dwelling, place of work or occupied vehicle.

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.

Kansas Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-04-07

Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.

2024-12-16

Added tribal land information to Carry Location section

2021-07-01

Updated all sections for new laws that went into effect on July 1, 2021

2021-05-25

Added info per HB 2058, about provisional CCHLs in Summary and Permit Info sections

2021-05-18

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

2020-11-11

Updated information on accepted training courses in the Training Section

Yes, Selected State:	Kansas
Yes, Constitutional Carry:	New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont, Arkansas, Idaho, Florida, Iowa, South Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Wyoming, Georgia, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Montana, Indiana, Kentucky, Alaska, Texas, Missouri, Maine, Arizona, Oklahoma, Alabama, North Dakota, Louisiana, Mississippi
Yes, Allowed to Carry:	Virginia, New Mexico, Washington, Wisconsin, Delaware, Nevada, North Carolina
Yes, With Restrictions:	Colorado, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan
No, Carry Not Allowed	Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Connecticut, California, New York City, Rhode Island, Illinois, Oregon, Puerto Rico

Kansas gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Kansas Concealed Carry Reciprocity Details

Key Kansas Gun Laws

Important Concealed Carry Information

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How to get a Kansas Concealed Weapons Permit

Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

Kansas Self-Defense Laws