Simone Lawson
Kansas is one of the states in the US that allows constitutional carry. This means that individuals over the age of 21 can carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Kansas also allows open carry for individuals over the age of 18 without a permit. Kansas has some of the weakest gun laws in the country and experiences a higher rate of gun violence than most other states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry | Yes |
| Open carry | Yes |
| Concealed carry | Yes |
| Permit required | No |
| Minimum age for concealed carry | 18 (provisional), 21 (permanent) |
| Minimum age for open carry | 18 |
| Magazine capacity restrictions | No |
| Plastic-coated handgun ammunition | Not permitted |
| Taser or stun gun possession | Yes |
| Pepper spray or chemical spray possession | Yes |
| Gun violence rate | Above national average |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas allows constitutional carry
Kansas has some of the weakest gun laws in the country and experiences a higher rate of gun violence than most of the country. In 2021, Kansas lawmakers voted to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed, loaded handguns in public without a permit, including on college and university campuses. Kansas also allows open carry, which means that individuals can openly carry a firearm without a permit. However, not all cities in Kansas allow open carry, and it is important to check the local laws before doing so.
Kansas has taken some steps to regulate the sale and possession of firearms. For example, Kansas requires new handgun models sold in the state to have childproofing features and to include microstamping technology. Kansas also regulates ghost gun parts, ensuring they cannot be sold without serial numbers and a background check. In addition, Kansas bars the purchase of gun magazines larger than a prescribed size and prohibits the sale and possession of plastic-coated handgun ammunition.
Kansas concealed carry reciprocity extends to 39 other states and jurisdictions, including 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. Kansas honors permits from all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico.
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Kansas has some of the weakest gun laws
Kansas is one of the states with constitutional carry, allowing both residents and non-residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The state has some of the weakest gun laws, with critics arguing that Kansas gun control laws are too lax. This is because the state does not require background checks for private gun sales, nor does it mandate the registration of firearms or the reporting of lost or stolen guns. Kansas also does not regulate assault weapons or the transportation of firearms in motor vehicles.
In addition, Kansas does not have a dangerous "Shoot First" law in place, and it allows 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed, loaded handguns in public without a permit, including on college and university campuses. The state also has a high rate of gun violence, and legislators are working to repeal the protections in place to prevent it.
Kansas does have some restrictions on gun ownership and use. For example, the state requires registration of machine guns and manages a licensing program for federal firearms dealers. Federal law also bans the possession of firearms by felons, those using illegal drugs, and those convicted of misdemeanour domestic violence, among others. The state also allows the carrying of concealed handguns in most public access areas of state or municipal buildings, except where security measures such as armed guards and metal detectors are in place.
However, the lack of comprehensive gun control laws in Kansas means that the state does not have the necessary protections in place to safeguard its residents from gun violence. The state's weak gun laws make it easier for individuals to obtain and carry firearms, which can pose a risk to public safety. As a result, Kansas has become a target for criticism, with advocates of stricter gun control laws arguing for the implementation of additional measures to address the issue of gun violence in the state.
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Kansas has a higher rate of gun violence
Kansas is a constitutional carry state, meaning that residents do not need a license to carry a gun. Non-residents are also allowed to carry a gun in Kansas without a license. However, some cities in Kansas do not allow open carry, and there are specific rules around carrying a gun while travelling to other states.
Kansas has a high rate of gun violence. In 2019, over 400 people died by gun violence in the state, with an average of one person dying every day. Suicides made up 72% of gun deaths, and homicides made up 25%. A ten-year average (2010-2019) shows that Wilson County had the highest gun death rate in Kansas, followed by Wyandotte and Barton Counties. Conversely, Riley County had the lowest gun death rate, followed by Douglas and Franklin Counties. A five-year average (2015-2019) shows that nearly 3/4 of homicides in Kansas were committed with firearms in 2019, and that young Black males are disproportionately impacted by firearm homicide. Black males aged 15-34 have a firearm homicide rate 15 times higher than that of White males of the same age group.
While there is no clear correlation between overall firearm ownership and gun violence, studies have shown a strong association between estimated household gun ownership rates and gun-related suicide rates. A 2016 cross-sectional study found a strong association between estimated gun ownership rates and overall suicide rates among men. Additionally, a 2018 study found that temporary gun seizure laws were associated with a significant reduction in firearm suicides in Connecticut and Indiana.
The high rate of gun violence in Kansas, particularly the high number of suicides and homicides, is a cause for concern. The high rate of firearm-related homicides among young Black males is especially alarming and highlights the need for targeted interventions to address this issue. While the constitutional carry law in Kansas allows residents and non-residents to carry guns without a license, it is unclear what impact this has on the state's gun violence rate. However, with the high number of gun-related deaths in the state, there is a clear need for measures to reduce gun violence and improve gun safety.
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Kansas allows open carry
Kansas is a constitutional carry state, which means that residents do not need a license to carry a concealed firearm. The state has some of the weakest gun laws in the country and experiences a higher rate of gun violence than most other states. In 2021, Kansas lawmakers voted to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed, loaded handguns in public without a permit, including on college and university campuses. Kansas also allows open carry, with some restrictions. While Kansas does not require a permit for open carry, not all cities in the state allow it, even some small rural ones.
Kansas has relatively relaxed gun laws compared to other states. In addition to allowing permitless carry, Kansas also has relatively few restrictions on who may carry a firearm. For example, anyone 21+ must be allowed to carry on public campuses, as long as there are not adequate security measures in place. There are some limited restrictions, such as a block on the public carry of guns on state capitol grounds and/or political protests. Kansas also requires new handgun models sold in the state to have childproofing features and regulates ghost gun parts to ensure they are not sold without serial numbers and a background check.
Kansas is not the only state with constitutional carry laws. As of March 7, 2024, the following states also have constitutional carry: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida (concealed carry only), Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Dakota. Vermont does not have any provision for issuing concealed-carry licenses, but none are required to carry a handgun in the state.
While Kansas allows open carry, it is important to note that there may be local restrictions in place. Individuals considering carrying a firearm in Kansas should familiarize themselves with all applicable state and local laws.
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Kansas allows non-residents to carry
Kansas is a constitutional carry state, meaning that residents do not need a license to carry a firearm. This applies to both open and concealed carry. The same rules apply to non-residents, who are treated the same as residents under Kansas gun laws.
Kansas gun laws state that anyone over the age of 18 can openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit. For concealed carry, the minimum age is 21. There are some exceptions to these rules, for example, active-duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in Kansas can obtain a license, and non-residents aged 18-20 may carry concealed but must hold a valid concealed carry permit.
Kansas issues licenses to carry concealed handguns on a shall-issue basis. As of April 2015, over 87,000 current permits had been issued. Kansas will continue to issue permits so that Kansas residents may carry in other states that require a license to carry.
It is important to note that while Kansas is a constitutional carry state, not all cities within Kansas allow open carry. Some small rural areas prohibit this, so it is important to check the local laws before carrying a firearm in public. Additionally, a carry permit is still required to carry a handgun in certain locations, such as state or national parks, campgrounds, and nature trails.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kansas does have constitutional carry.
To carry a concealed firearm in Kansas, you must be at least twenty-one years old. For a provisional license, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Kansas does not require a permit to carry a concealed firearm for individuals above the age of twenty-one. However, some cities in Kansas do not allow open carry. Additionally, you may not carry other weapons, such as plastic-coated handgun ammunition, tasers, or stun guns, under concealed carry laws in the state.
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