Traveling between Missouri and Kansas can raise questions for gun owners. While the states are neighbors, their laws are not the same. Drivers may benefit from understanding how the rules change once they cross the state line.
Carrying in Missouri vehicles
Missouri law allows people to carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle without a permit. However, age limits apply. To carry without a permit, a person typically needs to be at least 19 years old. Members of the military may often carry at age 18. While a permit is not usually required for these drivers, limits on where a person can take a gun still exist.
Carrying in Kansas vehicles
Kansas law also allows concealed carry without a permit, but the age rules are stricter. In Kansas, a person typically needs to be at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm without a license. Drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 generally need a valid license to carry concealed. This rule usually applies to everyone in the state, including visitors from Missouri. Being able to carry legally in Missouri does not automatically mean a driver meets the age requirement in Kansas.
Checking the route ahead
Before driving between these states, gun owners often find it helpful to check specific local rules. Important differences to look for include:
- Age requirements: The minimum age for permit less carry may change at the border.
- Restricted areas: Some places, like schools or government buildings, may have strict bans.
- Open vs. concealed: Rules on keeping a gun hidden or visible can vary.
Why checking gun carry rules matters
Even though both states allow many people to carry a firearm without a permit, the specific requirements are not the same. Conduct that complies with the law in one state may not align with the law in the other. Reviewing the applicable rules in both Missouri and Kansas before traveling may help reduce the risk of misunderstandings or potential gun and weapons charges.