Major Current Gun Laws in Missouri & Kansas
Missouri
Concealed Carry: With the passage and veto override of SB656 in 2016, Missouri no longer requires safety training or a permit to carry a concealed firearm. The minimum age for carrying a concealed weapon is 19 years. Non-residents also are allowed to conceal carry if they have a permit to do so from their own state.
Open Carry: A law adopted in 2014 allows open carry for individuals who have concealed carry permits. That law eliminated local governments’ authority to prohibit open carry.
Gun Carrying Limits: Among places where state law prohibits the carrying of guns are: houses of worship; election precincts on election days; prisons, jails or other correctional facilities; meetings of local governments and the state General Assembly; bars; sports arenas seating 5,000 or more; and hospitals. The carrying of firearms also is prohibited in or on a private property, including businesses, if the owner has posted an off-limits sign in a conspicuous place.
In Schools: Missouri became the 10th state to approve allowing specially trained school employees to carry concealed guns on campuses. State law allows and encourages (but does not require) public schools to teach gun safety to first-graders through courses such as the NRA’s Eddie Eagle program.
Sales Prohibitions: Missouri law prohibits possession of a firearm by a person habitually in an intoxicated or drugged condition, and for individuals currently adjudged mentally incompetent. Federal law prohibits gun sales to such individuals as convicted felons, certain domestic abusers and some individuals with a history of serious mental illness.
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground: With the veto override of SB656, Missouri became the first state since 2012 to pass ‘stand your ground’ legislation allowing people to use deadly force anytime, and virtually any place, they feel their or another’s life is in danger.
Kansas
Public Employee Guns: A law that took effect in 2016 allows most employees of public agencies to carry concealed while working both on the agencies’ properties or off. This means an armed public employee can enter private businesses or homes carrying a concealed weapon while on the job. With few exceptions, public agency employers are not allowed to ask their employees if they are carrying.
Local Regulations: State law prohibits all local governments from enacting any firearm regulation. Prior to 2014 a number of communities banned open carry of firearms. Local government also can no longer authorize gun buy-back programs, or prohibit motorists from keeping a loaded gun within reach.
Concealed Carry: Adults age 21 or older no longer must undergo safety training and obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Kansas has automatic concealed weapon permit reciprocity with all other states.
Open Carry: Open carry of firearms, holstered and unholstered, is allowed statewide. No safety training or permitting is required to open carry.
Public Buildings: Public agencies can prohibit concealed carry in their buildings. However, such prohibitions end in 2018 unless public buildings have metal detectors and security personnel at all times.
Gun Signs: Private building owners can post signs to prohibit concealed carry and/or open carry. There is no legal penalty specifically for carrying a gun into a posted building. If, however, the gun carrier is asked by management to leave and refuses, he or she can be charged with criminal trespass.
Schools and Guns: State law allows public K-12 schools, universities and community colleges to authorize employees to carry firearms in school buildings. As of July 1, 2017, public colleges no longer can prohibit concealed carry in a campus building unless there are metal detectors and security personnel at every entrance.
Missouri & Kansas Laws DO NOT:
- Regulate gun shows.
- Require gun owners to obtain a license, register their firearms or report lost or stolen firearms.
- Limit the number of firearms purchased at one time, or impose a waiting period on firearm purchases.
- Prohibit possession of a firearm by individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or who are subject to domestic violence protective orders.
- Regulate assault rifles or large-capacity ammunition magazines.
- Require an individual to store a firearm so a child cannot access it.
Sources: The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Associated Press