Read the transcript from a past chat with Asst. Atty Gen. C.W. Klebe on the process people must go through to obtain a concealed carry permit in Kansas

C.W. Klebe, an assistant attorney general in the concealed carry unit, will answer questions about the process people must go through to get a concealed carry permit in Kansas.

Baille

Is the automatic listing, which is supposed to be accessible to law enforcement 24/7, up and running?

DaveR

So if I see anyone carrying a gun, even though “concealed”, I should just phone 911?

Moderator

Hi. I’m Chad Lawhorn, the moderator for today’s chat. Thanks to Mr. Klebe for chatting with us today. We have a few questions, but invite readers to submit additional ones.

C.W. Klebe

Thanks for having me today! Looking forward to helping out.

Moderator

Moderator: I’ll ask the first question. If someone is thinking about getting a concealed carry permit, where is the first place they should go?

C.W. Klebe

The best place to go, when considering applying for a Kansas concealed carry license, would probably be the Attorney General’s wesite (www.ksag.org). From there, click on the concealed carry link. A lot of questions can be answered there through the various links we have compiled. For those who are not aware, there is a required 8 hour certification course, consisting of learning about the various Kansas laws on the subject and also a “live-fire” testing, which has to be completed prior to application. The Attorney General’s website has a link where you can look up Attorney General certified instructors who teach that course. There are numerous other links full of helpful information on a broad range of topics as well.

awdvkd

If you have concealed handgun permit can you carry it on the “T” bus system. Right now it is posted that you can’t. I thought it only involved bldgs.

C.W. Klebe

K.S.A. 75-7c11, as it was amended by House Bill 2528 (which was published in the May 3, 2007 edition of the Kansas Register), states, “Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent: . . . any private business or city, county or political subdivision from restricting or prohibiting persons licensed under this act from carrying a concealed weapon within a building or buildings of such entity, provided that the premises are posted . . .” It would not appear that posting of the buses would be allowed as they are not “buildings of such entity.” While the owner of the busing system may not be able to restrict concealed carry through general posting, they may be able to fall back on trespass charges if they ask a licensee to leave the bus and the licensee refuses.

Let me remind everyone tuning in that the answers I am providing today are not formal legal opinions of the Attorney General, but are initial readings by the Concealed Carry Unit.

skipwilson

With a non violent expunged felony is it still possible to get a concealed carry permit?

C.W. Klebe

Any felony conviction or diversion, even if expunged, will disqualify an applicant at this time. The amended expungement statute, K.S.A. 21-4619, gave the Attorney General access to expunged criminal records “to aid in determining qualifications for a license to carry a concealed weapon.” K.S.A. 21-4619(i)(15).

458casul

cw has there been any problems with permit holders

C.W. Klebe

We have had a few incidents with Kansas permit holders…nothing involving the firing of a weapon though. Essentially a couple incidents where a licensee was arrested for carrying under the influence and a couple incidents involving restraining orders. Once the unit receives word of an incident involving a licensee we immediately suspend or revoke their license and await the outcome of the matter to make a final determination on what final administrative action to take.

DaveR

If I see someone who is carrying heat, how do I know he is doing so legally?

C.W. Klebe

Basically, unless you are law enforcement, a licensee does not have to disclose to you the nature of their carrying. Licensees are of a confidential nature and not subject to public disclosure (K.S.A. 75-7c06(b); only when asked by law enforcement is a licensee required to disclose his status (K.S.A. 75-7c03(b)). The best thing to do if faced with a situation like this is to contact local law enforcement and have them handle the situation

Farmboy

What are the regulations regarding unconcealed carry, either pistols or long guns?

C.W. Klebe

Kansas has no statutes or regulations governing the “open carry” of firearms. Those types of rules and regulations were left to the local cities and counties. Generally, the larger cities and counties do not allow such carrying of firearms and therefore an individual (who is not a concealed carry licensee) will only be subject to K.S.A. 12-16,124 regarding the transportation of firearms. The best thing to do if concerned is to contact local authorities and ask for their local rules and regulations regarding open carry.

drake

What about a CCW holder who wants to drive across the KU campus? Signs at the entrances say they prohibit this even though I wouldn’t be in a building.

Baille

C.W. – Can you give an overview of what is required of a person before they are able to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon? How long should one expect the process to t ake?

C.W. Klebe

This one is a little tricky because of the language used in the provision. K.S.A. 75-7c10(a)(14) speaks of posting community college, college, or university “facili[ties].” The term facility was not defined in the Personal and Family Protection Act. The thing to point out here, is that, students and faculty are subject to school administrative policy as well as state laws. So, while there may not be a violation of state law, the student or faculty member could still be facing discipline according to administrative policy. As to the non-student or faculty driving through, its hard to say at this point how that term facility will be interpreted.

Moderator

This will be our last question. Just briefly go over what a person must do to get a permit, and how long does the entire process take? I thank you for your time today, and thank all the readers for their questions.

C.W. Klebe

As mentioned before, there is the 8 hour training course with live-fire exercise. An applicant must then go to their county of residence Sheriff’s office to be fingerprinted and have their application sent to the Attorney General’s office from there. There is a $40 cashier’s check or money order due to the Sheriff’s office and a $110 cashier’s check or money order made out to the Attorney General’s office due with the application. Applicant’s must be 21, a resident of Kansas for 6 months immediately preceding application. Applicants cannot have any felonies in their criminal history even if expunged. Cannot be in violation of federal law (specifically in terms of domestic violence convictions and mental illness issues). Applicants also must not have, within the 5 years preceding application: (1) any misdemeanor controlled substance convictions/diversions; (2) cannot have had 2 DUI’s convictions/diversions; (3) no prior concealed carry violations; (4) no convictions or diversions for an act that constitutes domestic violence; or violations of carrying under the influence. Applicants cannot have been dishorably discharged from the military, have been ordered by a court to receive treatment for mental health or alcohol/controlled substance abuse (unless restored to capacity by the court). An applicant cannot be currently under charges for a crime which would render them ineligible should they be convicted or placed on diversion. Cannot have been adjudged “disabled” by a court for purposes of obtaining a guardian or conservator (unless restored to capacity). Also, applicants, as juveniles, cannot have been “adjudicated” of any of the above listed disqualifying crimes. Hopefully that pretty much hit all of the requirements; if it didn’t, they are listed at K.S.A. 75-7c04. Right now, the process time is taking about 2 total months to complete. If a person has applied and not heard anything after about 2 and a half months, give us a call 785-291-3765 and we’ll see if we can figure out where the hold up is.