FAQ Kansas CCH Law

Frequently Asked Questions

KANSAS CCH LAW

QUESTION: What must I provide with my application for a Kansas Concealed Carry Handgun License?

Answer: You must provide the following:

A completed application
One 2”x2” Photo
A copy of your training Certificate of Completion
Two certified checks or money orders:

One for $40 made out to your local Sheriff’s Department

One for $110 made out to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office

QUESTION: When does the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act (concealed carry) become law?

Answer: SB 418 becomes law on July 1, 2006; however, the law specifies that no permits will actually be issued prior to January 1, 2007.

QUESTION: When will the first concealed carry handgun (CCH) licenses be issued under Act?

Answer: January 1, 2007.

QUESTION: Where can I get an application?

Answer: On and after July 1, 2006, you can print off an application from the Attorney General’s website (www.ksag.org) or you can obtain a paper copy of the application form at the sheriff’s office in your county of residence.

QUESTION: Where do I submit my application?

Answer: Individuals who wish to apply for a Kansas CCH license must apply at the sheriff’s office in the county where they live.

QUESTION: How much will a license cost?

Answer: The application fee totals $150. Submit with the application two money orders or cashier’s checks:

One in the amount of $40 payable to the sheriff’s office in the county where the applicant resides, and
Another in the amount of $110 payable to the Office of the Attorney General.

QUESTION: How long will a Kansas CCH license be valid?

Answer: Ordinarily for a period of 4 years (provided the license is not suspended or revoked for some reason).

QUESTION: Is there any training required?

Answer: Yes. The law requires that all CCH license applicants must successfully complete an 8-hour training program approved by the Attorney General before they may obtain a Kansas CCH license. Our course meets the Attorney General’s requirement.

QUESTION: How much will the training class cost?

Answer: The tuition for our class is $150 and includes a $20 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops and 2 passport sized photos.

QUESTION: Do I have to complete the required training program before or after I submit my application?

Answer: The required 8-hour training class must be completed before a person can submit an application to the sheriff’s office. Once a person has completed the required class, the instructor will sign a form certifying that the person has completed the class and a copy of that form must be attached when an application is submitted to the sheriff’s office.

QUESTION: Do I have to be a citizen of the State of Kansas to obtain a Kansas CCH license?

Answer: Yes. All applicants must have been a citizen of the State of Kansas for at least 6 months prior to making application for a Kansas CCH license. Kansas will not issue CCH licenses to non-residents.

QUESTION: Does Kansas allow for reciprocity with other states that issue CCH licenses?

Answer: SB 418 specifies that the Kansas Attorney General is to review the laws of other states and make a determination on whether to grant reciprocity to CCH licenses issued by other states. The training requirement of other states must be at least as stringent as Kansas to be considered.

QUESTION: If I have a CCH license issued by another state and Kansas does grant reciprocity to that states licenses, when can I begin carrying a concealed handgun in Kansas based on that out-of-state license?

Answer: No license issued by another state will be recognized in Kansas until January 1, 2007. On and after January 1, 2007, the Attorney General will publish a list of states whose CCH licenses will be recognized in Kansas, however, if a person is a Kansas resident, he/she must have a Kansas issued CCH license in order to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Kansas. (Kansas residents will not be legal to carry concealed based on a license issued by another state.)

QUESTION: What will the actual CCH license look like?

Answer: Under the KPFPA a Kansas CCH license holder will have the choice of either having a separate license card, or will be able to have a CCH designation placed on his/her Kansas driver’s license or Kansas non-driver’s identification card.

If the licensee opts for the separate CCH card, the card will appear very similar to a Kansas driver’s license, except the card will have “Concealed Carry Handgun” clearly printed on it, along with an expiration date.
If the CCH licensee opts to have a designation added to his/her Kansas driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card showing that the licensee holds a CCH license, the driver’s license will have a section showing “CCH” and the expiration date of the CCH license.

QUESTION: Where will the actual license cards be obtained?

Answer: If an applicant has been approved to obtain a Kansas CCH license, the applicant will receive a letter from the Office of the Attorney General informing the applicant that he/she has been approved to obtain a license and directing the applicant to go to a Kansas Department of Revenue state driver’s license office in order to be photographed for the new CCH license card (or new Kansas driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card). The new CCH license (or Kansas DL or non-driver’s ID) will then be manufactured and mailed to the CCH licensee at the licensee’s home address.

QUESTION: Will there be a cost for the new CCH license card or replacement Kansas driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card?

Answer: Yes. The applicant will be required to pay a $15 fee to the Kansas Department of Revenue for producing the actual card or license.

QUESTION: If I do apply for and receive a Kansas CCH license, will I be able to carry a handgun anywhere in the State of Kansas?

Answer: No. Under the terms of 2006 SB 418 and 2006 HB 2118 there are a number of places where a CCH licensee will still not be allowed to carry a firearm. All licensees are advised to become knowledgeable about the legal restrictions on all locations where firearms will be prohibited. We cover this issue in the class.

QUESTION: If I obtain a Kansas CCH license, will I have to carry my CCH license card with me at all times?

Answer: Yes. All CCH licensees will be required to have their CCH license with them at any time they are actually carrying a firearm concealed. Failure to do so could result in the licensee having his/her CCH license suspended or revoked and could result in criminal charges.

QUESTION: If I have a Kansas CCH license and I am stopped by a law enforcement officer, do I have to tell the officer I have a CCH license and/or firearm?

Answer: Under the KPFPA, if at any time a law enforcement officer asks the licensee if he/she is a CCH license holder or asks if the licensee is carrying a firearm, the licensee must tell the officer whether the licensee is armed.

QUESTION: Can private property owners and businesses prohibit CCH licensees from carrying concealed firearms on their property or in their businesses?

Answer: Yes. Under the KPFPA any private property owner or business owner can prohibit CCH license holders from carrying concealed firearms on their property/premises by posting approved signs stating that carrying concealed firearms is forbidden. Under the terms of 2006 HB 2118, the Attorney General shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the size, content and location for these signs.

Read Sign Regulation and view Approved Sign.

QUESTION: How is the license renewed beyond the four year period from the date of issuance?

Answer: Not less than 90 days prior to the expiration date of the license, the attorney general mails to the licensee a written notice of the expiration and a renewal form. On or before the expiration date, the licensee files with the sheriff the renewal form, evidence that the licensee has requalified by completion of an approved weapons safety and training course, a photograph of the licensee taken within the preceding 30 days, and a renewal fee of $100 in the form of two cashier's checks or money orders, one of $50 payable to the sheriff and one of $50 payable to the attorney general.

QUESTION: When I get my CCH license, is it allowable to conceal my handgun in my car while I am driving?

Answer: The CCH license only covers carrying a concealed handgun on your person. Kansas citizens already may carry concealed firearms on their own land, home, or fixed place of business with or without a permit.

QUESTION: Can I carry my handgun openly everywhere in the state if I have the permit?

Answer: No. The permit only affects concealed carry on your person. This law does not change anything in the law about open carry, which is legal in most of the state but may be a violation of a city ordinance or county resolution. You must know the local laws before carrying openly.

QUESTION: Can a city or county restrict concealed carry of a handgun even though the state issues permits?

Answer: No. The state of Kansas has reserved to itself the power to regulate concealed carry of handguns.

QUESTION: Can a city or county restrict or expand the purchase, transfer, ownership, storage or transporting of firearms or ammunition?

Answer: No. The state of Kansas has reserved to itself the authority to govern the purchase, transfer, ownership, storage or transporting of firearms or ammunition. (Section 10, Chapter 141, 2005 Kansas Session Laws is known as the pre-emption law.)

QUESTION: What is the lawful way to transport a firearm in Kansas?

Answer: Kansas law states: "No person shall be prosecuted under any ordinance, resolution or regulation for transporting a firearm in any air, land or water vehicle if the firearm is unloaded and encased in a container which completely encloses the firearm." (Subsection (d) of Section 10, Chapter 141, 2005 Kansas Session Laws)