Despite the current political leanings in the country, things are actually looking pretty good when it comes to 2nd Amendment rights. More and more states keep adopting constitutional carry laws, and states that previously had heavy regulations on tasers seem to have relaxed their grip somewhat.
Tasers have a lot going for them, and they can be a smart defensive tool for you, but sadly they are still restricted in many parts of the nation. How about Kansas? Are tasers legal in Kansas?
Yes, tasers are legal in Kansas. Thanks to some significant statutory revisions, tasers may now be freely purchased and carried in most places, no permit necessary. However, some municipalities in Kansas might have stricter regulations than the state.
This is great news for anyone in Kansas who has ever wanted a taser. Previously, tasers and other dart-firing stun guns were specifically regulated and forbidden from concealed carry.
All those statutes are a thing of the past, though. However, there are still several other laws you’ll need to know about concerning tasers generally in Kansas, so keep reading…
How are Tasers Classified in Kansas?
Kansas, unfortunately, does not have a specific definition for tasers except as found in 72-6135 which is a statute covering the expulsion of students who bring weapons to schools.
In that section, at least, and for the purposes of that section and other related statutes in the chapter we see that any electronic device designed to discharge immobilizing levels of electricity, and commonly known as a stun gun, is considered a weapon.
However, in other contexts used throughout the statutes, and more specifically regarding crimes against the public safety and crimes against the person specifically, a taser could potentially be considered a deadly or dangerous weapon.
With that in mind, read the aforementioned definition for yourself in 72-6135, below of which an excerpt is printed here:
72-6135. Definitions.
As used in K.S.A. 72-6135 and 72-6136, and amendments thereto:
…
(f) “Weapon” means
…
(9) any electronic device designed to discharge immobilizing levels of electricity, commonly known as a stun gun.
Are Stun Guns Legal in Kansas?
Yes, they are. Stun guns, just like tasers, are no longer heavily regulated in Kansas and are available for purchase, possession, and carry.
Can You Carry a Taser Openly in Kansas?
Yes, you can carry a taser openly in Kansas. Before the revision of the state statutes a few years ago, this used to be the only way you could carry a legally possessed taser.
Now, anyone can carry it so long as they may be in legal position of the device and the device itself is legal.
Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Kansas?
Yes, you can. Contrary to what is still routinely asserted in various outlets on the internet, you may legally obtain and carry concealed a taser in Kansas without the benefit of a concealed weapons permit. The concealed carry of taser’s generally is also no longer illegal.
You can see for yourself that tasers are in no way featured in section 21-6301 concerning the criminal use of weapons.
It is a very, very lengthy statute, so I’ve only printed the first third of it or so here which contains the relevant violations. Read it for yourself, and then check out the remainder.
21-6301. Criminal use of weapons.
(a) Criminal use of weapons is knowingly:
(1) Selling, manufacturing, purchasing or possessing any bludgeon, sand club or metal knuckles;
(2) possessing with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, blackjack, slungshot, dangerous knife, straight-edged razor, throwing star, stiletto or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character;
(3) setting a spring gun;
(4) possessing any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in suppressing the report of any firearm;
(5) selling, manufacturing, purchasing or possessing a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches in length, or any firearm designed to discharge or capable of discharging automatically more than once by a single function of the trigger, whether the person knows or has reason to know the length of the barrel or that the firearm is designed or capable of discharging automatically;
Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Kansas?
Yes. You must be at least 18 years old in order to possess a taser in Kansas. However, you might need to be 21 in order to conceal one on or about your person legally – whether or not you have a permit.
The statutes are somewhat unclear in this regard post-revision.
What Do You Need to Do to Purchase a Taser in Kansas?
All you need to in Kansas is go buy one from a dealer. Alternately, you can have one shipped to you from out of state directly from the manufacturer or from online retailers.
If purchasing one in the state directly from a seller, they will probably record your personal information and get a copy of your driver’s license, and potentially run a background check as well.
Also know that in Kansas there are quite a few disqualifiers from taser possession, purchase, and ownership.
In short, anyone who has a felony conviction on their record, anyone who has a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence, any juvenile delinquent and anyone that has been adjudicated mentally defective is banned from owning tasers.
Make sure you check out the relevant disqualifiers in Section 21-6304, again printed partially below.
21-6304. Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
(a) Criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon is possession of any weapon by a person who:
(1) Has been convicted of a person felony or a violation of article 57 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 21-36a01 through 21-36a17, prior to their transfer, or any violation of any provision of the uniform controlled substances act prior to July 1, 2009, or a crime under a law of another jurisdiction that is substantially the same as such felony or violation, or was adjudicated a juvenile offender because of the commission of an act which if done by an adult would constitute the commission of a person felony or a violation of article 57 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 21-36a01 through 21-36a17, prior to their transfer, or any violation of any provision of the uniform controlled substances act prior to July 1, 2009, and was found by the convicting court to have used a firearm in the commission of the crime;
Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Kansas?
No. There’s no special training required to purchase or own a taser legally in Kansas, and since a concealed weapons permit is no longer required, the relevant training for that is likewise no longer needed.
Where Can You Carry a Taser in Kansas?
You can’t carry your taser into a school or onto the grounds of any school, onto a school bus, into any government building, office, installation or other facility (including local, state and federal level government property) or into the secured area of any airport.
Other restrictions will apply in various counties and cities around the state, so make sure you check on all relevant municipal laws where you live, work, and travel in Kansas.
When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself in Kansas?
You should only use your taser to protect yourself from a legitimate, imminent and reasonable threat of death or great bodily injury.
That’s because tasers themselves might be considered deadly force under Kansas law. You must never, ever use your taser to settle an argument or as a prank!
Read the following relevant statutes concerning battery and aggravated battery in 21-5413.
21-5413. Battery; aggravated battery; battery against certain persons; aggravated battery against certain persons.
(a) Battery is:
(1) Knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm to another person; or
(2) knowingly causing physical contact with another person when done in a rude, insulting or angry manner.
(b) Aggravated battery is:
(1) (A) Knowingly causing great bodily harm to another person or disfigurement of another person;
(B) knowingly causing bodily harm to another person with a deadly weapon, or in any manner whereby great bodily harm, disfigurement or death can be inflicted; or
(C) knowingly causing physical contact with another person when done in a rude, insulting or angry manner with a deadly weapon, or in any manner whereby great bodily harm, disfigurement or death can be inflicted;
Tom Marlowe practically grew up with a gun in his hand, and has held all kinds of jobs in the gun industry: range safety, sales, instruction and consulting, Tom has the experience to help civilian shooters figure out what will work best for them.