Since the beginning of time, early man has used weapons to defend himself. Fast forward to where we are now, weapons for protection or self-defense has become a controversial topic for Americans.
Laws and regulations have been enacted for these weapons of self-defense and it gets more interesting since each state has its own regulations to follow and has a different view of what is a legal self-defense weapon.
Kansas Castle Doctrine
The state of Kansas has adopted the stand your ground law and it is a “Castle Doctrine State”. An individual is allowed in the use of deadly force if the person rationally believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent death or harm.
The law:
“Use of deadly force” means the application of any physical force described in paragraph (1) which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to a person. Any threat to cause death or great bodily harm, including, but not limited to, by the display or production of a weapon, shall not constitute use of deadly force, so long as the actor’s purpose is limited to creating an apprehension that the actor will, if necessary, use deadly force in defense of such actor or another or to affect a lawful arrest.
It is legal to carry knives in Kansas
A knife means a cutting instrument and includes a sharpened or pointed blade. KSA 2012 Supp 21-6302 Section 1 C 1
What knife is legal to own?
- Bowies and other large knives.
- Dirks, Daggers, Stilettos, and other Stabbing knives.
- Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane swords.
- Switchblades and other automatic knives.
- Gravity knives.
- Undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors).
What knife is Illegal to own?
- Ballistic Knives
- Metal knuckles or Throwing Star
A throwing star means any instrument, without handles, consisting of a metal plate having three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges and designed in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or other geometric shape, manufactured for use as a weapon for throwing. Following this definition, a throwing knife is a legal weapon as long as it has a handle.
What are the limits to carry?
It is legal to open carry all the knives but these knives have to be legal to own. It is also legal to conceal carry all the knives as long as they are also legal to own.
It is legal to carry guns in Kansas.
Kansas is a constitutional carry state. There are no requirements for permits to purchase handguns and no firearms registration. Background checks are not required for private sales. Background checks are required if you’re purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Dealer, with the exception of Kansas concealed carry handgun license holders.
Open and concealed carry are legal in Kansas.
- Anyone at least 18 years of age that is not prohibited from carrying a firearm may openly carry a firearm in public without a license or permit.
- While the minimum age for concealed carry is 21.
- Concealed Carry Handgun Licenses (CCHL) are restricted to residents and members of the military stationed in Kansas.
- The minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit is 21, and a firearms training course is required.
- The applicant must complete an 8-hour handgun safety and training course approved by the attorney general.
- In terms of reciprocity, since Kansas has permitless carry, any person 21 years of age and older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.
The minimum age to possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches long is 18 years old and individuals under 21 years of age may concealed carry only when on their own land, abode, or fixed place of business. There are other exceptions for 18-year-olds, including when attending a firearms safety course, target shooting at established ranges or when hunting.
- Anyone at least 21 years of age who is not prohibited from carrying a firearm may openly or concealed carry a firearm in public without a license or permit.
- An individual under 21 years of age may only do so when on his or her own land, abode or fixed place of business. Stat. Ann § 21-6302(4)]
- There is no firearms registration requirement in Kansas. In addition, there is no mandated waiting period prior to the purchase of a firearm.
- It is allowed to carry a loaded gun inside a car in Kansas, without a permit for anyone at least 21 years old and allowed to possess a firearm. The minimum age for possessing and transporting a handgun unloaded and secured in a vehicle without any type of permit/license to carry firearms is 18. [ Stat. Ann. § 21-6301]
- Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm can open carry in Kansas without a permit.
It is legal to own a Taser or Stun Gun in Kansas.
Stun guns and tasers are very effective self-defense tools that are suitable to carry with you throughout your daily life in many different scenarios.
However, because they can be quite dangerous when used improperly, many states have laws and regulations stipulating when and how they can be used.
In Kansas, Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. However, they are not allowed in schools [72-6132].
It is legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Kansas.
Pepper spray is a non-lethal chemical compound that works by causing temporary blindness and is primarily used in self-defense (including animals) and for a crowd or riot control.
Pepper spray is a great self-defense tool when a firearm, or lethal weapon, is not needed, not allowed, or if you just don’t like to use firearms. Whether you are jogging in the evening on a dark street or hiking in the mountains, there are numerous reasons for needing and choosing pepper spray, and consistently carrying it on your person.
Because of its small size, pepper spray is easy to carry and conceal. Common devices include (but are certainly not limited to) hip holsters or key chains that give you the ability to access and use pepper spray almost instantly. And it can easily be disguised.
Individual self-defense devices, including those using a pepper spray or chemical mace, are legal in Kansas. [Kan. Stat. Ann § 21-5422]
Tactical Pens are legal in Kansas
A tactical pen is essentially a hidden self-defense tool. What better way to hide a defense weapon other than in plain sight. It can be used for writing, stopping someone by causing a minor wound, breaking things and even breaking glass if you use it well. The tactical pens were created for people who don’t want to use a gun for self-defense and wish to have some useful things that can potentially become a weapon.
There is no law prohibiting the use of the tactical pen in Kansas, again the Kansas law focuses on the criminal intent to use a weapon against another person to cause harm, and not merely the possession.
Personal Alarms
When you think of a self-defense weapon an alarm may not be the first thing that comes to mind but believe me a personal alarm is one of the best self-defense weapons that you can have! This isn’t an ordinary alarm.
A personal alarm is more produces a sound of more than 100 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer! Trust me when I say it’s shrill and loud. You wouldn’t want this alarm sounding in your ear. Also, causing a scene by making a lot of noise is a great tool to defend yourself against any surprise attack whether it be a mugger or purse snatcher. Read about an old woman whose life was saved by a personal alarm.