Duty to Inform Law Enforcement - Kansas

No Legal Duty to Inform

Kansas does not have a statutory duty to inform law enforcement that you are carrying a concealed firearm or that you possess a concealed carry handgun license (CCHL) during a law enforcement encounter.

Official Guidance from the Kansas Attorney General

The Kansas Attorney General's Concealed Carry FAQ directly addresses this question:

"If stopped by law enforcement, do I have to volunteer that I have a CCHL and/or concealed handgun?"

"Not in Kansas, but you should strongly consider doing so."

"Some other states require immediate disclosure, and failure to do so is a crime."

• Kansas Attorney General, Concealed Carry FAQs

Key Points

• No statutory requirement exists under Kansas law (including the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act, K.S.A. 75-7c01 et seq.) to proactively disclose concealed carry status or CCHL possession to law enforcement.
• No criminal penalty in Kansas for failing to volunteer this information during a law enforcement stop.
• The Kansas Attorney General strongly recommends voluntary disclosure as a best practice, even though it is not legally required.

Carrying the CCHL

Kansas also does not legally require a CCHL holder to have their license on their person at all times while carrying concealed. However, the Attorney General's office advises:

"Not in Kansas, but you should. Licensees should have their CCHL when transporting firearms in a motor vehicle, and in case a scenario arises where law enforcement needs to determine your lawful ability to carry."

Important Considerations

• Other states may differ: Some states that recognize the Kansas CCHL require immediate disclosure to law enforcement, and failure to do so may be a criminal offense in those jurisdictions.
• Travelers' responsibility: Per the Kansas Attorney General: "It is always the licensee's responsibility to know where they are carrying and the laws of that jurisdiction to make sure possession of a firearm and/or their method of carrying is lawful."
• Constitutional/permitless carry context: Kansas allows permitless concealed carry for individuals 21 years of age or older who are lawfully permitted to possess firearms. No Kansas statute (including K.S.A. 21-6301) imposes a duty to inform on any person carrying a concealed firearm, whether licensed or unlicensed. However, the Kansas Attorney General's FAQ addresses this question specifically in the context of CCHL holders.

Relevant Statutes

• K.S.A. 75-7c01 et seq. - Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act (concealed carry licensing framework)
• K.S.A. 75-7c04 - Qualifications for CCHL
• K.S.A. 21-6301 - Criminal use of weapons (does not include a duty-to-inform provision)
• K.S.A. 21-6332 - Prohibition on carrying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs