Question 1

Is Kansas a constitutional carry state?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for adults 21 and older. The concealed-carry license law 'shall not be construed to impose a general prohibition on the carrying of handguns without such license, whether carried openly or concealed, or loaded or unloaded.' It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor for a person under 21 to carry any pistol, revolver or other firearm concealed on their person (except on their own land, abode or fixed place of business) unless they hold a Kansas provisional license or a recognized out-of-state license. Persons barred from possessing firearms (e.g., unlawful drug users, certain mental-health commitments, fugitives, illegal aliens, persons under certain protection orders, domestic-violence misdemeanants within five years, and felons under K.S.A. 21-6304) may not carry.

Question 2

How do you get a concealed carry permit in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Kansas license to carry concealed handguns, issued by the Attorney General (shall-issue: the AG 'shall issue' to applicants who meet the application and training requirements and are not disqualified). Two types: a standard license (age 21+) and a provisional license (age 18 to 20), which can be converted to a standard license at 21. Applicants must be Kansas residents of the county where they apply, complete an eight-hour handgun safety and training course (including live fire and instruction in carry and deadly-force law), and pass a state and national criminal history check with fingerprints. Fees: the only fee is $32.50 to the county sheriff for fingerprinting; no fee is charged for the license or its renewal (2025 change, L. 2025, ch. 55, effective July 1, 2025). The license is valid statewide for four years. The AG must issue or deny within 90 days.

Question 3

Is open carry legal in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Allowed without a license; the license law does not prohibit carrying handguns 'whether carried openly or concealed, or loaded or unloaded.' A person under 18 may not possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches long (handguns), with exceptions such as hunter or safety courses, ranges, competitions, licensed hunting, family property with permission, and home self-defense with parental permission.

Question 4

How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor to sell, give or otherwise transfer any firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches long (handguns) to a person under 18, and a person under 18 may not possess one except in listed situations (hunter or safety courses, ranges, competitions, licensed hunting, family property with permission, home self-defense with parental permission). These rules apply to private sellers. Kansas statutes reviewed set no separate minimum age for long guns.

Question 5

Do private gun sales need a background check in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Kansas has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. It is a crime to sell, give or transfer any firearm to a person known to be addicted to and an unlawful user of a controlled substance, or a person who is or has been subject to involuntary commitment for mental illness or substance abuse. Cities and counties may not require fees, licenses or permits for, or regulate the sale, purchase or transfer of, firearms.

Question 6

Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Kansas has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm, and cities and counties may not regulate the sale, purchase or transfer of firearms.

Question 7

Does Kansas have a red flag law?

Accepted Answer

Kansas has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders (red flag orders).

Question 8

Does Kansas ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?

Accepted Answer

Kansas has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity, and cities and counties may not regulate the commerce in, sale, ownership or carrying of firearms, ammunition or their components. (Short-barreled shotguns under 18 inches and automatic firearms are criminal to possess unless in compliance with the National Firearms Act.)

Question 9

Can you keep a gun in your car in Kansas without a permit?

Accepted Answer

No license is needed for an adult to have a handgun, loaded or unloaded, openly or concealed, in a vehicle; the license law does not impose a general prohibition on unlicensed carry. The under-21 concealed-carry offense applies to a firearm concealed 'on one's person.' No employer may prohibit possession of a handgun in a private vehicle, even when parked on the employer's premises. On K-12 school grounds, a parent or guardian delivering or collecting a student may have a firearm secured in the vehicle.

Question 10

Which states' carry permits does Kansas honor?

Accepted Answer

All. A valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another state or the District of Columbia is recognized in Kansas while the holder is not a Kansas resident; it allows concealed handgun carry under Kansas law.

Question 11

Where can't you carry a gun in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Possessing a firearm on K-12 school property or at a school-sponsored event is a class B misdemeanor, but the ban does not apply to a concealed handgun carried by a person who may lawfully possess firearms and is 21 or older (or holds a provisional or recognized out-of-state license), to firearms secured in a vehicle while dropping off or picking up a student or while voting, or to possession authorized in writing by the school. State and municipal buildings (or their public areas) may ban concealed handguns only if they have adequate security measures at public entrances and are conspicuously posted. Other buildings may ban concealed carry only by conspicuous posting under Attorney General rules; carrying in a posted building is not a crime but can lead to denial of entry or removal. Private employers may restrict carry by personnel policy.

Question 12

Are ghost guns legal in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Kansas has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or firearm kits, and cities and counties may not regulate firearms or their components. Intentionally changing, altering, removing or obliterating the maker, model, manufacturer's number or other identification mark of any firearm is a severity level 10, nonperson felony; possessing a firearm with such a mark altered is prima facie evidence that the possessor altered it.

Permitless (constitutional) carry	Yes, for adults 21 and older. The concealed-carry license law 'shall not be construed to impose a general prohibition on the carrying of handguns without such license, whether carried openly or concealed, or loaded or unloaded.' It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor for a person under 21 to carry any pistol, revolver or other firearm concealed on their person (except on their own land, abode or fixed place of business) unless they hold a Kansas provisional license or a recognized out-of-state license. Persons barred from possessing firearms (e.g., unlawful drug users, certain mental-health commitments, fugitives, illegal aliens, persons under certain protection orders, domestic-violence misdemeanants within five years, and felons under K.S.A. 21-6304) may not carry. Under-21 rule: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch21/021_063_0002.html Source: K.S.A. 75-7c03(a); 21-6302(a)(4), (b), (d); 21-6301(a)
Concealed carry permit	Kansas license to carry concealed handguns, issued by the Attorney General (shall-issue: the AG 'shall issue' to applicants who meet the application and training requirements and are not disqualified). Two types: a standard license (age 21+) and a provisional license (age 18 to 20), which can be converted to a standard license at 21. Applicants must be Kansas residents of the county where they apply, complete an eight-hour handgun safety and training course (including live fire and instruction in carry and deadly-force law), and pass a state and national criminal history check with fingerprints. Fees: the only fee is $32.50 to the county sheriff for fingerprinting; no fee is charged for the license or its renewal (2025 change, L. 2025, ch. 55, effective July 1, 2025). The license is valid statewide for four years. The AG must issue or deny within 90 days. Age and training: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_007c_0004.html ; fees and timing: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_007c_0005.html Source: K.S.A. 75-7c03(a), 75-7c04(a)-(b), 75-7c05(b), (e), (f), (g)
Open carry	Allowed without a license; the license law does not prohibit carrying handguns 'whether carried openly or concealed, or loaded or unloaded.' A person under 18 may not possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches long (handguns), with exceptions such as hunter or safety courses, ranges, competitions, licensed hunting, family property with permission, and home self-defense with parental permission. Source: K.S.A. 75-7c03(a); 21-6301(a)(14), (l)
Guns in your car	No license is needed for an adult to have a handgun, loaded or unloaded, openly or concealed, in a vehicle; the license law does not impose a general prohibition on unlicensed carry. The under-21 concealed-carry offense applies to a firearm concealed 'on one's person.' No employer may prohibit possession of a handgun in a private vehicle, even when parked on the employer's premises. On K-12 school grounds, a parent or guardian delivering or collecting a student may have a firearm secured in the vehicle. Employer rule: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_007c_0010.html ; school exception: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch21/021_063_0001.html Source: K.S.A. 75-7c03(a); 21-6302(a)(4); 75-7c10(b); 21-6301(j)(3)
Other states' permits (reciprocity)	All. A valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another state or the District of Columbia is recognized in Kansas while the holder is not a Kansas resident; it allows concealed handgun carry under Kansas law. Source: K.S.A. 75-7c03(c)
Where guns are banned	Possessing a firearm on K-12 school property or at a school-sponsored event is a class B misdemeanor, but the ban does not apply to a concealed handgun carried by a person who may lawfully possess firearms and is 21 or older (or holds a provisional or recognized out-of-state license), to firearms secured in a vehicle while dropping off or picking up a student or while voting, or to possession authorized in writing by the school. State and municipal buildings (or their public areas) may ban concealed handguns only if they have adequate security measures at public entrances and are conspicuously posted. Other buildings may ban concealed carry only by conspicuous posting under Attorney General rules; carrying in a posted building is not a crime but can lead to denial of entry or removal. Private employers may restrict carry by personnel policy. Public buildings: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_007c_0020.html ; posting: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_007c_0010.html Source: K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(11), (b)(3), (j); 75-7c20; 75-7c10(a), (b), (f)

Age to buy a gun	It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor to sell, give or otherwise transfer any firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches long (handguns) to a person under 18, and a person under 18 may not possess one except in listed situations (hunter or safety courses, ranges, competitions, licensed hunting, family property with permission, home self-defense with parental permission). These rules apply to private sellers. Kansas statutes reviewed set no separate minimum age for long guns. Source: K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(7), (a)(14), (b), (l)
Background checks and private sales	Kansas has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. It is a crime to sell, give or transfer any firearm to a person known to be addicted to and an unlawful user of a controlled substance, or a person who is or has been subject to involuntary commitment for mental illness or substance abuse. Cities and counties may not require fees, licenses or permits for, or regulate the sale, purchase or transfer of, firearms. Reviewed K.S.A. chapter 21, article 63 (21-6301 to 21-6332) and chapter 75, article 7c (Personal and Family Protection Act), all sections, plus K.S.A. 12-16,124, on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: K.S.A. ch. 21, art. 63 and ch. 75, art. 7c (reviewed); K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(8)-(9); 12-16,124(a)
Waiting period	Kansas has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm, and cities and counties may not regulate the sale, purchase or transfer of firearms. Reviewed K.S.A. chapter 21, article 63 (21-6301 to 21-6332) and chapter 75, article 7c (Personal and Family Protection Act), all sections, plus K.S.A. 12-16,124, on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: K.S.A. ch. 21, art. 63 and ch. 75, art. 7c (reviewed); K.S.A. 12-16,124(a)
Ghost guns and homemade firearms	Kansas has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or firearm kits, and cities and counties may not regulate firearms or their components. Intentionally changing, altering, removing or obliterating the maker, model, manufacturer's number or other identification mark of any firearm is a severity level 10, nonperson felony; possessing a firearm with such a mark altered is prima facie evidence that the possessor altered it. Reviewed K.S.A. chapter 21, article 63 (21-6301 to 21-6332) and chapter 75, article 7c (Personal and Family Protection Act), all sections, plus K.S.A. 12-16,124, on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: K.S.A. ch. 21, art. 63 and ch. 75, art. 7c (reviewed); K.S.A. 21-6306; 12-16,124(a)

Kansas Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

Quick answers for Kansas

Carrying a gun

Buying a gun

Red flag law and weapon limits

Gun Laws FAQ

More Kansas law