Can you bring a firearm into a polling place in Kansas? What the law says
Kansas is home to many gun owners — including those who plan to cast their ballots on or before Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Kansas state statute used to prohibit carrying a “concealed handgun” into “any polling place on the day an election is held.” But as of 2023, the state no longer explicitly bans firearms from polling places.
Instead, state law restricts open carry of firearms only in public buildings with security measures like metal detectors and guards. Private buildings can restrict both open and concealed carry by posting proper signage — but polling places are considered public places.
However, state law does prohibit voter intimidation, which it defines as “intimidating, threatening (or) coercing… any person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such person to vote or to vote as he may choose.”
Which types of behavior are considered intimidating or threatening will likely be circumstantial.
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This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 5:27 AM with the headline "Can you bring a firearm into a polling place in Kansas? What the law says."
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