Kansas open carry.

[Rickstir]

I live in MO but hunt in Kansas. There have been several reports of cougars in the area we hunt, so the question is, what are the open carry laws in KA? I have been to packing.org but nothing jumps out.
It does say you can carry concealed if you are a licensed hunter in the field. Would this apply to non-residents?
Thanks Jayhawks, unless of course you are a Wildcat! Go Tigers!

 

[trapperjohn]

kansas allows cities and counties to issue their own laws. IT can be pretty tricky. evenin towns that have not outlawed open carry expect to be approached by LEOS. At least that is what police chief told me.

as far as cougars are concerened I'd think youd have as much chance of being struck by lightning while simultaneously being attacked by mad rattlesnakes as you would being attacked by a mountain lion in kansas.

On top of that, if you are hunting you are armed. Id rather face a charging cougar with a 12guage and bird shot at close range than a handgun anyway.

 

[mondocomputerman]

I live in KS, and am pretty unhappy we don't have ccw laws. I called my local PD last week (Lenexa) and they confirmed open carry is legal, but you might be approached by an officer to see what you are doing. I have heard that Overland Park does not allow open carry. Another interesting tidbit I read on packing.org, is that you CAN ccw while hunting. I am unsure if that includes going to the location and back though, probably not.

 

[Black Snowman]

I need to check Merriam, but if Lenexa allows open carry then Johnson county must or the PD would have brought it up when you asked. Need to get a local map, call all the PDs, check policy and put it online for all us eastern Kansas residents.

 

[Rickstir]

Trapperjohn,
This will be bow hunting. Because deer and turkey are open at the same time, you cannot have a shotgun while you are bow hunting.

Last night, the guy who owns the farm we are hunting, had a cougar run between his house and the neighbors in plain view of several people.

Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

 

[trapperjohn]

ah! ok bowhunting is a bit different. you may need to check the game laws though, some states do not allowfirearm carry while bowhunting.

 

[Sisco]

I'd have to double check but I don't believe carrying any type of firearm while bow hunting is legal.
Fish & Game dude hangs out at the gunshop on weekends, if I run into him I'll ask.
As far as open carry; I asked a LEO about it once, he said it is legal where I live but if I did it I sould expect some concerned citizen to call 911 and report "Man with gun at Wal Mart" at which point an officer will arrive and ask what my intentions are. In short, it's legal but not hassle free.

 

[JoeWang]

I remember growing up gramps used to open carry in KCKS -- on 57th St.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Does anybody have any info on open carry in a car in Kansas City KS?? What about Wyanndotte County ordinace?? I live in Mo and work in KS and I can't seem to come up with anything solid on open car carry.

 

[Mr. Kook]

Like they are saying, in some places it's legal and in some places it isn't. In Wichita I believe it is considered a felony. Naturally I can't speak for the entire state, but my advice from a legal stand point is to not do it.

In the KC area a person can literally drive a mile and pass through three different towns/cities, each with different firearms ordnances.

Even those areas that allow open carry, I would expect to be harrassed and probably arrested. The police cannot know every law. Our laws are so damn convoluted and differ from region to region the average joe has probably committed a few felonies and not even known it. And to make things more interesting the average police officer probably wouldn't have known a few felonies if he had seen them.

As far as cougars go, I know they are here. I have seen them at my grandparents farm just west of Topeka. My grandfather has taken to carrying a .30-30 when doing most of his farming because of them.

We've seen a couple hit by cars and a shecat has been using the hay bales at my grandparents as a lair and for birthing kittens.

From a legal standpoint I would not recommend carrying in this state, but from a survival standpoint, especially while out in the bush I would say it is almost essential. Though, if you want to actually use the gun, go with a friend and both of you should be armed. A gun isn't much good against an animal that surprise attacks and can kill in the first hit.

 

[GD]

I live in Marion County Kansas (In the Flint Hills) and our County Sheriff saw a mountain lion about a mile north of our house. We have had small calf killings around here where the calf was dragged pretty far and other indications of a larger animal. Although I have never seen the animal, about 4 of my neighbors have. A few of my neighbors open carry and I do too when I am working fence or doing other outdoor work and am pretty far away from my pickup. It is only prudent to do so.
As far as the law is concerned, because of city ordinances, I would open carry only out in the country. And yes, you can conceal carry while hunting, resident or nonresident.
One of these days we will have a governor and a legislature that trusts its law abiding citizens enough to pass a CCW law.

 

[Kamicosmos]

There have been some cougar sightings on the MO side too. One was even in Gladstone, which is dense residential areas, so that is very disturbing. Glad MO has passed CCW...now if the counties will get on the ball and start issuing them. (Although they are starting to now.)

As far as open carry in the city parts of town....I wouldn't do it, especially if you're trying to make a political point. You will get stopped, and I'd bet real money that if you don't have a 'good reason' you'll probably get arrested for being a nusisance, disturbing the peace, possesing a concealable weapon, brandishing, hell who knows what they might throw at you, especially if you get Political on em...

Holden lost his nomination so he'll be out of the Governor's mansion in November. Hopefully, Sebelius will get the boot when her term comes up.