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As long as concealed carry permits are what we are talking about, you can describe Kansas as a free state.

Citizens who meet the concealed carry permit requirements in Kansas can roam around the streets of the state. They can do this without being accountable to anyone.

This doesn’t mean that there are no gun laws overseeing the possession of guns by its citizens.

Kansas Gun laws

The gun laws in Kansas are very lax and laid back.

In fact, Kansas gun laws are so relaxed that it isn’t a must to have a Kansas concealed carry permit. This is regardless of your possession of a gun or not.

They can, with their two hands in the way like they don’t care, carry their firearms with them wherever they go.

Kansas CCW Reciprocity        

The set of laws governing the possession and use of guns in Kansas operates on a basis best described as ‘free’.

Kansas is best described as an “Unrestricted” and “Shall issue” state. The Shall issue policy is what the state uses when we are talking about reciprocity.

This means that the state will issue a Kansas concealed carry permit to any individual that satisfies all the stated requirements.

As I earlier said, Kansas can be said to be a free state.

Kansas gun laws recognize and honors concealed carry permits of all states.

Although, only thirty-seven out of these states have a CCW reciprocity that recognizes a permit from Kansas.

How Does Kansas CCW Reciprocity work?

Kansas will acknowledge all permits issued in other states. This is only possible if such an individual meets all the stipulated Kansas concealed carry requirements.

This is a tricky situation as Kansas might not accept some of the requirements in other states.

For instance, the age requirement in Kansas is twenty-one years of age. Other states, like Indiana, have eighteen years as theirs.

Thus, Eighteen-year-olds from Indiana might need to apply for another permit – or wait till they are twenty-one.

Likewise, a state that has a CCW reciprocity in place with them might not recognize a Kansas concealed carry permit. All because of little differences in their requirements.

Bar any such differences, individuals who have a Kansas concealed carry permit can use the permit in thirty-seven states. This is the number of states that have CCW reciprocity in place with them.

Although you can come to Kansas with a CCW permit you got from another state and such permit is still valid.

Before you go to another state with a CCW permit issued in Kansas, you must conduct your research. 

This is to be sure the state is one of the thirty-seven that honor Kansas concealed carry permits.

Who Can Own A Kansas Concealed Carry Permit

Only individuals who meet all the minimum requirements stipulated by the Kansas gun laws and are successful in their Kansas concealed carry permit application shall have the privilege of owning a Kansas-issued permit.

Individuals who meet the basic requirements of possessing a gun in Kansas can own and carry a gun without the need for a permit.

As long as you are at least twenty one years of age, you can own a firearm and carry it on you wherever you go without a permit.

Individuals who are at least eighteen years of age can buy and own a shotgun. As long as they meet all the other basic requirements of owning a gun. This doesn’t apply to handguns.

The logic behind this is that shotguns are mainly used for hunting. You can’t stop a mentally competent adult from partaking in a recreational activity.

What Are The Requirements For A Kansas Concealed Carry Permit?

Any individual who wishes to fill a Kansas CCW application and be issued a Kansas concealed carry permit must meet the following requirements as stated by the state of Kansas’s gun laws.

  • The individual must be at least twenty-one years of age.
  • They must have completed an eight-hour firearms Kansas concealed carry class online.
  • The individual must be a citizen of the United States. A permanent resident alien or an eligible non-immigrant alien also qualify.
  • They must be a resident of the state of Kansas with a valid driver’s license or a state-issued identification card.
  • They must also be a resident of the county where they might be applying for the permit.
  • They must have read the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act and are very well familiar with its provisions.
  • Such an individual doesn’t fall under the categories of persons prohibited by the Federal Law.

What Is The Age Limit For Kansas CCW Application?

The state only allows individuals who are at least twenty one years old to make a Kansas concealed carry permit application.

Kansas will not consider applications from individuals younger than this age benchmark.

However, Kansas practices “permitless carrying”. They believe that if an individual is old enough to own a gun, then they are equally old enough to carry it without a license to do so.

Individuals who are between the ages of eighteen and twenty can buy and own a firearm. Provided it isn’t a handgun, they can carry it without the need for a permit.

What Places Are Off Limits For Concealed Carry Kansas

The following are the places where Kansas CCW carriage isn’t allowed.

Individuals found violating this order will be perceived as an offender and charged to court.

  • Public and Private buildings of Kindergarten to grade twelve schools that have a “No firearms” signal posted.
  • The Governor’s house.
  • Any public building that has a posted sign saying “No Firearms”.
  • Secure areas of any buildings for jail, a correctional facility, or a law enforcement agency.
  • State courthouses with a sign reading “No firearms” posted.
  • State racetracks with a sign reading “No firearms” posted.
  • When an individual is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Any other place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

What Places Are You Permitted for Concealed Carry Kansas

The Kansas gun laws permit persons with a Kansas concealed carry permit to carry their CCW in the following areas:

  • State parks
  • State and national forests
  • Roadside rest areas
  • At public grounds and parking lots/garages
  • In their respective vehicles

It is important to know that Kansas operates on an “Unrestricted” policy. This means that its citizens can carry their CCWs with or without permits.

Basically, you can carry your Kansas CCW to all areas of the state. This is except for buildings that have a posted sign reading “no firearms”.

While you are not legally obligated to drop your Kansas concealed carry in your vehicle before entry, it can be seen as trespass on the property if you act otherwise.

How Can I Apply for A Kansas Concealed Permit?

Applying for a Kansas concealed carry permit is a very simple and easy process. You need to know what you are doing and be sure to have carried out the following steps beforehand:

Meet All Necessary Requirements

It is pointless applying for a license to carry when you are well aware that you don’t satisfy all the Kansas concealed carry permit requirements.

It would be time wasted that would have been better spent on something better.  Enrolling for Kansas concealed carry classes for instance.

Before you even attempt to get the online Kansas CCW application form, assess yourself. Are you sure you meet all the necessary requirements stipulated by the gun laws?

This would even increase your chances of being successful.

Remember ‘If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.”

Have A Solid Grasp of the Gun Laws

It is pertinent you understand the workings of the Kansas gun laws before you proceed to apply for a permit. This is to avoid issues in the future arising from ignorance.

Even the state of Kansas compels applicants to download and read the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act before proceeding with their Kansas concealed carry application.

Knowing what the law accepts and forbids should be one of the first steps of your Kansas concealed carry permit application journey.

This way, you know the places you can carry your Kansas CCW to and the places the law prohibits.

It will also help you understand the CCW reciprocity of the state. You would also know the states where your Kansas concealed carry permit isn’t valid.

Complete The Kansas Concealed Carry Online Course

Kansas has made it compulsory for any person wishing to apply for a Kansas CCW permit.

In fact, if you wish to be successful in your application, you must provide proof of gun knowledge. This must be in the form of a completed eight hour Kansas concealed carry class or online training.

Regardless of the fact that the Kansas concealed carry classes are a prerequisite for a successful application, they are beneficial to you in the long run.

That way, you get to be more educated and informed about the handling and possession of firearms.

Proceed To Apply

After you might have done all the above, it is now time to take charge!

It is time to get online and apply for that Kansas CCW permit.

The process of applying for the Kansas concealed carry permit is as follows:

  1. Complete a Kansas concealed carry class.
  2. Download and read the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act from under the FORMS tab.
  3. Download the application under the FORMS tab.
  4. Afterward, you would be needing the following documents:
    • Completed application form.
    • Photocopy of a certificate showing the completion of a training course on firearms.
    • A 2 x 2 passport-style color photograph taken within the preceding thirty days
    • A photocopy of your Kansas ID card.
    • Two checks. One for $100 paid to the Kansas Attorney General. Another for $32 paid to the county sheriff.
  5. Submit the completed application with photo, training certificate, and checks to the sheriff in the county of residence.
  6. The county sheriff will collect the fees, fingerprints of the applicant. Have them sign a record check waiver and statement. Then forward the entire packet to the Attorney General’s office for processing.
  7. Sit back and relax as you wait for a mail informing you of the approval of your application.

Concealed Carry Kansas FAQs

How Long Is The Kansas CCW Permit Valid For?

The Kansas concealed carry permit lasts for four years. After this, you are required to opt for a renewal if you so wish albeit at a cost of $25.

What Is The Processing Time For A Kansas CCW Permit?

After submission of the completed application form, the Kansas concealed carry permit takes ninety days to be processed.

Is There A Non-resident Concealed Carry Permit?

The state of Kansas will only issue CCW permits to resident individuals who meet the necessary requirements.

People who do not live in a county in Kansas cannot be granted a Kansas concealed carry permit.

Can You Carry A Loaded Gun In Your Vehicle in Kansas?

Kansas gun laws state that an individual who is twenty-one years old may carry a loaded firearm in his vehicle however they see fit- open or concealed carry- without a permit.

Is Kansas A Permitless Carry State?

Residents in Kansas who are at least 21 years old can own and carry a firearm without the need for a permit or training.

However, training in firearms is one of the prerequisites of obtaining a permit.

Is A Previous Permit From Another State Transferable?

You cannot transfer a CCW permit from one state to another.

The best you can do is hope the new state has a CCW reciprocity policy that honors permits from the former.

In the case where that is not the case, you might need to apply for a new permit depending on the laws of the new state.

You don’t have to worry about moving to Kansas though as its CCW reciprocity honors all states’ permits.

Is A Concealed Carry Kansas Permit Valid In Another State?

If the state’s CCW reciprocity honors permit from Kansas, then yes.

There are thirty-seven states that honor Kansas concealed carry permits. If you are moving to one of these states, then you are in luck.

Otherwise, you might need to apply for a new permit depending on the laws of the state.

What States Honor Reciprocity With Kansas?

Kansas recognizes and honors CCW permits from all fifty-three states in the United States.

Not all these states return that favor as only the ones listed below honor a permit issued in Kansas:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

What states have restricted reciprocity with Kansas?

The following states have restricted reciprocity with Kansas:

  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Michigan
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina 

Additional Resources

Kansas Gun Laws
Kansas Open Carry Laws
Kansas Gun Permit Laws

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