Kansas Concealed Carry Permit Basics

Overview

Kansas issues a Concealed Carry Handgun License (CCHL) through the Office of the Attorney General. While Kansas adopted permitless (constitutional) carry effective July 1, 2015, the state continues to issue CCHLs for those who wish to obtain one, particularly for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states.

Permitless Carry

• Effective July 1, 2015: Persons who are 21 years of age or older may carry concealed firearms in Kansas without a license, provided they are lawfully permitted to possess firearms.
• Effective July 1, 2023 (per 2023 HB 2058, codified at K.S.A. 75-7c04(a)(3)(A)): Persons who are 18 to 20 years of age may carry concealed firearms in Kansas with a valid provisional concealed carry license issued by the Kansas Attorney General, provided they are lawfully permitted to possess firearms.

CCHL Application Requirements

Training Requirement

• Applicants must generally complete a Kansas-required 8-hour training class.
• Training Exemption: Applicants may qualify for an exemption from the Kansas training class if they hold a valid CCHL from another jurisdiction and the training used to obtain that non-Kansas CCHL meets or exceeds Kansas training requirements. In such cases, the applicant must attach:
  1. A copy of the valid non-Kansas CCHL to their application;
  2. Documentation showing the contents of the training used to obtain the non-Kansas CCHL; and
  3. Certification that they successfully completed the non-Kansas training course.

Application Process

• Applicants must submit their application through the Sheriff in the county where they reside.
• Applicants must pay applicable fees.

Residency & Validity

• A Kansas CCHL is only valid while the licensee is a resident of Kansas or stationed in Kansas as active duty military (or a dependent thereof).
• Active duty military personnel and their dependents who are stationed in Kansas but hold non-resident driver's licenses must surrender their Kansas CCHL when relocating outside of the state (unless Kansas is their home of record).

Active Duty Military Personnel & Dependents

• Non-resident active duty military and their dependents residing in Kansas are eligible to apply for a Kansas CCHL.
• Active duty military personnel and their dependents must attach a copy of their non-resident driver's license or state-issued ID card to their application but do not have to surrender their non-resident driver's license or ID to Kansas.
• A non-Kansas CCHL is valid in Kansas so long as the licensee is not a resident of Kansas and the CCHL is not expired, revoked, suspended, or otherwise had arbitrary action taken against it by the issuing jurisdiction.

Employer/Employee Restrictions

Private Employers

• May prohibit employees from carrying concealed while on the premises of the employer's business or while otherwise engaged in the duties of employment. (K.S.A. 75-7c10(b))
• May not prohibit an employee from storing their handgun in the licensee's private vehicle, even if parked on the employer's premises. (K.S.A. 75-7c10(b))

Public (State or Municipal) Employers

• May restrict concealed carry by employees only if adequate security measures and signage are in place at the employer's public entrances. (K.S.A. 75-7c20)
• May not restrict an employee who is legally qualified from carrying a concealed handgun while engaged in duties of employment outside of the employer's place of business, including while in a vehicle. (K.S.A. 75-7c10(e))

Employer Disclosure Requirements

• Municipal employers are prohibited from requiring disclosure of CCHL status and are prohibited from creating or maintaining a record of employees who have a CCHL. (K.S.A. 75-7c23)
• State employers are not prohibited from requiring disclosure of CCHL status.

Key Statutes Referenced

Contact Information

• Concealed Carry Licensing Unit: (785) 291-3765
• Website: Kansas Attorney General - Concealed Carry Licensing