Kansas allows the use of firearms in the state, but there are gun laws that govern how and where you can use them.

There are also limitations to the types of firearm you can use as a civilian in the state.

It is essential that you understand Kansas open carry laws so as not to violate. This can lead to prosecution.

Kansas Gun Law Summary

Kansas issues conceal carry permits in the state, and it also recognizes open carry.

It is a shall-issue state with the application of the permit supervised by the state patrol agency.

In Kansas, you do not need a purchase permit to buy firearms.

However, you must complete the criminal record background check, except you are buying from a private dealer, or you already have a concealed carry permit.

The minimum age requirement to open carry is eighteen years old. While that of concealed carry is twenty-one, the same age requirement for applying for the state permit.

Kansas concealed carry permit is for only residents and military members posted for duties in the state.

But non-residents can still conceal and open carry in the state because the state has a permitless policy.  

Is Open Carry Legal In Kansas?

Yes. Open carry is legal in Kansas as long as you are eighteen years old or above, and without a previous prohibition to use firearms in the state.

However, Kansas has location restrictions for the possession of firearms as well as open and concealed carry.

Open Carry Laws In Kansas

Kansas is a permissive open carry state with local laws preemption. The state does not require you to apply for a permit before you open carry.

There are also restrictions for firearms in the state.

Machine guns and semi-automatic firearms are not allowed except for law enforcement officers, military members, and peace officers in the state.

Kansas gun statute also prohibits the usage of antique firearms in the state. 

Antique guns, according to the state law, are firearms manufactured before the year nineteen-eighteen.

The law also includes devices like flintlocks, ignition systems, percussion caps, matchlocks, or anything that looks like them.

Ammunitions manufactured before nineteen-eighteen that are no longer available for sale in the commercial market are also not allowed.

Kansas Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoNoYou do not need a state permit to open carry firearms in Kansas.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoKansas gun statutes do not require the registration of firearms in the state.
Assault weapon for open carry.NoNoKansas bans the possession of assault firearms like machine guns and semi-automatic guns. Also, plastic-coated ammunition is not allowed.
Magazine limitNoNoThere are no limits to the number of rounds for a firearm magazine in Kansas.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredThere are licenses issued for owning firearms in Kansas.
Red flag lawNoNoKansas gun law does not recognize red flag law or a court issuing restriction and protection orders after receiving a petition against someone.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesKansas has castle doctrine law with a stand your ground policy at homes, workplaces, and personal vehicles.
Background check for private dealersNoNoNICS criminal record background check is not required for private dealers of firearms in the state, as well as for the transfer of firearms between family members.
PreemptionYesYesKansas preempts gun laws in local areas of the state. However, municipalities can regulate the use of firearms in state buildings and also the issuing of concealed carry permits in their territory.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesYou can only conceal carry with a permit issued for this purpose in Kansas.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in your vehicle as long as you have your permit with you.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoKansas prohibits the possession, open and concealed carry of firearms and other weapons in schools, colleges, and university campuses.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Kansas?

Kansas does not prohibit concealed carry in the following areas of the state:

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in restaurants and bars, except there is a post prohibiting this or you are under the influence of alcohol.
  • Personal vehicle: You can open carry in your car or any other private vehicle.
  • Roadside areas: You can open carry in roadside areas as long as you are within the legal age to do so.
  • State forests and parks: You can open carry in Kansas parks, forests, and if you have permission, in wildlife management areas.
  • Places of worship: You can open carry in churches, mosques, and synagogues that do not have a post or signage restricting the possession of firearms within their premises.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Kansas?

Kansas gun laws prohibit the possession of firearms or open carry in the following places.

  • Schools: You cannot possess firearms or open carry in schools, colleges, and university premises.
  • Government buildings: You cannot open carry in government buildings like the governor’s residence.
  • Courthouses: You cannot open carry in courthouses and during court proceedings in Kansas.
  • Private buildings and properties: You cannot open carry or possess your firearms in private buildings and properties that have signage prohibiting the possession of weapons in their premises.
  • Hospitals: You cannot open carry in state hospitals, mental homes, or any other health care center.
  • Prisons: You cannot open carry in state prisons, jails, correctional homes, or detention facilities.
  • Places of work: You cannot open carry in workplaces that have restrictions for the possession of firearms.
  • Under the influence: You cannot open carry or make use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in areas that are not permitted by federal laws of the USA.

FAQs About Open Carry Kansas

Some of the most frequently asked questions about open carry in Kansas include the following:

Does Open Carry In Kansas Require Any State License?

No. You do not require a state license to open carry in Kansas.

Do I Need Permit For Concealed Carry In Kansas?

Yes. You need a concealed carry license before you can conceal carry any firearm in the state.

What Is Kansas Age Requirement For Open Carry?

You must be at least eighteen years old before you can open carry in Kansas.

Also, you must not have any prior prohibition for the possession of a firearm in the state.

What Is The Legal Age For Concealed Carry In Kansas?

You must be at least twenty-one years old before you conceal carry in Kansas, except you are a member of the United States Armed Forces, in which case you must be at least eighteen years old.

Is There A Red Flag Law In Kansas?

No. Kansas does not have any red flag law.

Is Concealed Carry Permit In Kansas Available To Non-residents Of The State?

No. However, Kansas is a permitless carry state, and anyone that is twenty-one years old or more can open carry in the state without an issued permit.

Does Kansas Recognize Constitutional Carry In The State?

Yes. Kansas is a constitutional carry state.

Can I Open Carry Knives In Kansas?

You can open and conceal carry all knives that are considered legal in the state.

However, it is illegal to own a knife with the intention of using it to commit a crime.

Ballistic knives and throwing stars are not allowed for open and concealed carry in Kansas.

Also, students cannot possess any type of knives within school premises.

Does Kansas have Any Restriction For Open Carry Of Firearms In The State?

Yes. Kansas has a ban on the use of the following types of firearms in the state.

  • Any device manufactured to silence a firearm after firing in.
  • Any shotgun that has a barrel that is less than eighteen inches.
  • Any firearm that discharges automatically or fires more than once after a single pull of the trigger.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In Kansas?

No. Kansas gun laws do not require a purchase permit or any other type of license to buy firearms in the state.

Must I Complete A Criminal Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Kansas?

Yes. If you are buying the firearm through a state or federally licensed firearm, then you must complete a criminal record background check.

But this is not a requirement for private firearms dealers in the state.

Also, if you have the state concealed carry permit, you are exempted from completing a background check.

For How Long Is Kansas Concealed Carry Valid?

Kansas concealed carry permit is valid for four years, after which you have to apply for a renewal permit.

What Is The Processing Period For Concealed Carry Permit In Kansas?

Ninety days.

Am I Required To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In Kansas?

No. There are no requirements or state laws that mandate you to tell an officer that you are in possession of a firearm.  

Is Kansas A Castle Doctrine State?

Kansas is one of the states in America that adopts the castle doctrine law with a stand your ground policy against an intruder in your home of residence, place of work, or personal vehicle.

Can I make Use Of Deadly Force For Self-protection In Kansas?

Yes. You will have immunity from the law if you make use of deadly force during self-defense or while trying to protect your properties or a third party from an attack that could lead to bodily harm or imminent death.

Must I Complete Firearm Training Before Applying For Concealed Carry Permit In Kansas?

Yes, this is one of the requirements for applying for a concealed carry permit in Kansas.

The training must include an eight hours’ class for the safety of firearms, and a state-certified firearm instructor must conduct it.

Is It Compulsory To Register My Firearm After Purchasing In Kansas?

No, there is no obligation for firearm registration in Kansas.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Kansas

Here are some of Kansas gun laws relating to open carry in the state.

Ammunition Restrictions

Kansas bans the use of and sales of ammunition that are plastic coated.

Preemption Laws

Kansas has preemption laws for local areas’ firearm regulations. The state government still has all authorities for the usage of gun laws:

Municipalities can regulate the use of firearms in the following ways:

  • Ban concealed carry in buildings owned by the state or a municipality, which have restrictions for the usage of weapons.
  • Ban public employees from using firearm or concealed carry within their work premises in the municipality.

Brandishing Of Firearms

It is a crime to brandish firearms at another person in Kansas. The gun law labels this as assault.

Assault in this context is deliberately using your firearm to threaten or put a person in a situation with risk of bodily harm.

When done with a firearm or another assault weapon, it is known as aggravated assault.

Use Of Firearms Under The Influence

According to section twenty-one of the state gun statues, nobody shall under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, carry, or possess a firearm in such a way that the person is incapable of safely handling it.

Range Protection Law

A law court cannot sanction a shooting for constituting a nuisance if it complies with all state noise control laws and laws that have to do with firearm operations.

Hunter Law In Kansas

You can open carry while hunting in Kansas except when you are bow hunting, in which situation you can only conceal carry.

You are also not allowed to make use of your firearm arm during an archery hunting session.

According to the state’s gun law, harassment of hunters during a legal activity is not allowed.

Nobody shall deliberately interfere or disturb a hunting activity permitted by adequate authority.

This includes fur harvesting and fishing.

Additional Resources

Kansas Gun Laws
Kansas Concealed Carry Laws
Kansas Gun Permit Laws

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