Kansas Concealed Carry Laws - Overview

Kansas is a permitless carry (constitutional carry) state. The Kansas Bill of Rights, Section 4, declares: "The right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed." The following overview summarizes the key aspects of Kansas concealed carry law based on the Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.).

Permitless (Constitutional) Carry

Effective July 1, 2015, Kansas enacted permitless carry legislation, allowing any person who is 21 years of age or older (or 18 years of age or older for members of the military or honorably discharged veterans) and who is legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry a concealed handgun without a license or permit. This is codified under K.S.A. 21-6302, which provides exceptions to the general prohibition on criminal carrying of a weapon.

Prior to 2015, Kansas required a concealed carry license under the Personal and Family Protection Act (enacted in 2006), which established the framework for background checks and training requirements.

Concealed Carry Handgun License (CCHL) - Still Available

Although a permit is not required to carry concealed in Kansas, the state continues to issue Concealed Carry Handgun Licenses (CCHLs) through the Kansas Attorney General's office under K.S.A. 75-7c01 through 75-7c24 (Personal and Family Protection Act). Obtaining a CCHL remains beneficial for:

• Reciprocity - A Kansas CCHL is recognized by many other states that have reciprocity agreements with Kansas.
• Exemption from NICS background checks - A valid Kansas CCHL may serve as an alternative to the federal NICS background check when purchasing firearms from a licensed dealer.
• Carrying in certain restricted areas - Some locations that restrict permitless carry may still allow entry for CCHL holders.
• Provisional-to-standard license transition - Kansas law provides a pathway from a provisional license to a standard license (updated by HB 2052, effective April 1, 2025).

CCHL Disqualifying Criteria

Under K.S.A. 75-7c04(a), the Attorney General shall not issue a CCHL if the applicant is prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition under:

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or (n) - Federal firearms prohibitions
• K.S.A. 21-6401, subsections (a)(10) through (a)(13) - Kansas criminal discharge of a firearm provisions
• K.S.A. 21-6304, subsections (a)(1) through (a)(3) - Kansas criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon

All criminal history must be disclosed on a CCHL application. Applicants with questions about how their criminal history may affect eligibility should consult a private attorney, as the Attorney General's office cannot provide individualized legal advice to applicants.

Key Statutes

Self-Defense Laws

Kansas has both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections. The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the right of citizens to bear arms for self-defense in State v. Humes (2018).

• K.S.A. 21-5222 (Stand Your Ground) - A person who is not the initial aggressor has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand their ground and use force, including deadly force, if the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another person.
• K.S.A. 21-5223 (Castle Doctrine) - A person is justified in using force, including deadly force, against another person when the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry into or attack upon their dwelling, occupied vehicle, or place of work.

Open Carry

Kansas is an open carry state. No permit is required to openly carry a firearm for individuals who are legally permitted to possess one. The minimum age for open carry is 18 years old.

Prohibited Locations

Even under permitless carry, firearms are generally prohibited in certain locations, including but not limited to:

• State and municipal buildings that have adequate security measures as defined by K.S.A. 75-7c20 (including electronic equipment and armed personnel at public entrances to detect and restrict firearms)
• Schools (K-12) - unless specifically authorized
• Courthouses
• Correctional facilities and jails
• Locations prohibited by federal law (federal buildings, post offices, VA facilities, etc.)
• Any public building or area where proper signage is posted and adequate security measures are provided (per K.S.A. 75-7c20)

Important: Buildings open to the public that do not provide adequate security measures (as defined by Kansas law) generally cannot prohibit concealed carry by lawful carriers. This provision, established by the Personal and Family Protection Act and refined through multiple legislative sessions (2013-2017), is a distinctive feature of Kansas law.

Prohibited Persons

Under Kansas law and federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)), certain individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms, including:

• Persons convicted of a felony (per K.S.A. 21-6304)
• Persons convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor
• Persons subject to certain court orders (e.g., protection from abuse orders)
• Persons addicted to or unlawfully using controlled substances
• Persons who are mentally ill and subject to involuntary commitment
• Persons who are fugitives from justice
• Illegal aliens
• Persons who have been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces
• Persons who have renounced United States citizenship

Preemption

Kansas has a state preemption law that prevents local municipalities from enacting firearms regulations more restrictive than state law. This was strengthened in 2021 with legislation that further reinforced the prohibition on local governments from enacting stricter firearm regulations than those established at the state level.

Recent Legislative Changes (2025)

Two significant bills took effect April 2, 2025 (publication date):

• SB 137 - Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act Amended: Authorizes the sale or transfer of forfeited firearms under the Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act to a licensed firearm dealer. Amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 60-4117.

• HB 2052 - Personal and Family Protection Act Updated: Updates cross references in the Personal and Family Protection Act regarding CCHL eligibility requirements; requires the surrender of a suspended or revoked license; provides for a transition from a provisional license to a standard license; and prohibits the collection of personal information of an off-duty law enforcement officer entering buildings while armed or requiring such officer to wear any item identifying them as a law enforcement officer or being armed.

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This overview is based on Kansas statutes including K.S.A. 21-6301, 21-6302, 21-6304, 21-5222, 21-5223, 75-7c01-75-7c24, and 75-7c04 as referenced from the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes (ksrevisor.gov), the Kansas State Legislature (kslegislature.gov), and the Kansas Attorney General's Concealed Carry resources. Legislative updates from the 2025 session sourced from enrolled bill summaries. Individuals should consult the full text of applicable statutes and seek legal counsel for specific situations.