Kansas Gun Control Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Reviewed by Maddy Teka, Esq. | Last updated May 26, 2021
The Second Amendment right to bear arms is an important, yet controversial, right. Many gun-rights advocates praise Kansas for the many laws it has implemented in the past several years, from the 2006 Personal and Family Protection Act that permits residents to apply for concealed carry licenses to allowing school districts to decide if employees can carry concealed weapons. In 2015, the Kansas legislature also passed a law allowing Kansas residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training.
Conversely, according to some critics, Kansas gun control laws are far too lax. Kansas doesn't have certain safeguards that other states have in place, including requiring:
- Firearms dealers to get a state license
- Background checks for gun sales between individuals
- Gun owners to register their firearms or report lost or stolen guns
- A limit on the number of guns that can be purchased at one time
- A permit for a concealed firearm
Kansas Gun Laws
The table below details the main gun control laws in Kansas.
Relevant Statutes (Laws) |
Kansas Statutes Chapter 21, ArticleChapter 75, Article 7c: Firearms |
|---|---|
Illegal Arms |
Guns that are prohibited in Kansas include:
|
Waiting Period |
There is no waiting period in Kansas. |
Who May Not Own |
A number of different groups can't own guns in Kansas, including:
|
License Required? |
Kansas does not require gun purchasers or owners to obtain a license. |
Concealed Carry License Required? |
No, a concealed carry permit is not required to carry a concealed firearm.*Keep in mind that it's illegal to carry a firearm into capitol buildings, the governor's home or grounds, any county courthouse (unless local authorities permit), or any state-owned buildings with signs clearly saying guns are prohibited. You also can't carry the gun to a jail, a polling place on election day, a school or college, a mental health center, a public library, a place of worship, etc., which all should have a sign up somewhere clearly informing you not to bring in your gun. |
Open Carried Allowed? |
Open carry is allowed in Kansas. |
Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License |
In order to qualify for a concealed carry license. You must:
|
Machine Gun Laws |
It is illegal to possess, sell, manufacture, or carry a firearm in Kansas unless it is compliant with federal law. |
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession |
|
Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds |
Illegal possession of a firearm on or near school grounds is a class B misdemeanor offense that can be punished by at most six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
School Employees Carrying Guns
One of the recent changes in Kansas gun laws is that school districts can permit employees to carry concealed weapons on campus. However, the biggest insurer of Kansas school districts said it can't cover schools that carry guns, as the risk is too high. The implications are enormous because of the likelihood of accidental gun shootings resulting in workers' compensation claims or large wrongful death settlements, in the tragic event a student is injured or killed.
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