Is a West Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in Kansas?
Yes, but not for every holder. Kansas recognizes a West Virginia non-resident permit unless you live in Kansas. Kansas also allows permitless carry for adults 21+ if you qualify. Kansas residents are not covered by this recognition, but Kansas's permitless carry from age 21 still applies if they qualify.
Why
- Kansas recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
- Kansas does not honor an out-of-state permit held by a Kansas resident.
- Kansas allows permitless carry for eligible adults 21+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
K.S.A. 75-7c03: 'a valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another jurisdiction shall be recognized in this state, but only while the holder is not a resident of Kansas.' AG guidance states recognition applies to any non-resident holder aged 18 or older.
The permit (West Virginia)
- Permit
- Concealed Handgun License (CHL)
- Issued by
- County sheriff (residents apply in their county of residence; non-residents may apply to any county sheriff)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — Since early-2021 law changes, non-residents may obtain a WV CHL by applying to any county sheriff of their choice with the same requirements as residents (live-fire training, fees). Provisional CHLs (18-20) are limited to WV residents.
The destination (Kansas)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (21+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Kansas
Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Kansas, these rules replace the ones you know from West Virginia.
- No Kansas statute imposes a proactive duty to inform an officer that you are carrying.
- Kansas sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Kansas allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- A person 21+ who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it loaded, openly or concealed, in a vehicle without a license; under-21 concealed carry (including in vehicles) is restricted by K.S.A. 21-6302.
Off-limits places in Kansas
Kansas bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:
- Any building conspicuously posted with AG-approved no-firearms signage at its entrances (K.S.A. 75-7c10)
- K-12 school buildings, jails, courthouses and similar public buildings where properly posted
West Virginia vs Kansas: what changes at the state line
Crossing from West Virginia into Kansas changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → Yes (21+)); out-of-state permits honored (36 states → All states).
| Rule | West Virginia | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | Yes (18+) | Yes (21+) |
| Duty to inform police | No | No |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | 36 states | All states |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, a Kansas non-resident permit in West Virginia: no such permit issued.
Driving on from Kansas
How a West Virginia non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Kansas:
Frequently asked questions
- Does Kansas honor a West Virginia resident permit?
- Recognized — and permitless carry applies. The verdict matches the non-resident permit on this page, but the conditions differ.
- Can a Kansas non-resident permit holder carry in West Virginia?
- Kansas does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in West Virginia.
- Where does Kansas publish its official reciprocity list?
- Kansas publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- Kansas AG - Out-of-State License Recognition — accessed 2026-08-08
- K.S.A. 75-7c03 (recognition of out-of-state licenses; provisional licenses) — accessed 2026-08-08
- K.S.A. 21-6302 (criminal carrying of a weapon; under-21 rule) — accessed 2026-08-08
- K.S.A. 75-7c05 (application; residency) — accessed 2026-08-08
- K.S.A. 75-7c10 (posted prohibited buildings) — accessed 2026-08-08
- K.S.A. 75-7c04 (disqualifications; 8-hour handgun safety and training course) — accessed 2026-09-27
- K.S.A. 21-6301 (criminal use of weapons; under-18 handgun possession) — accessed 2026-09-27
- K.S.A. 75-7c08 (license renewal) — accessed 2026-09-27
- WV Attorney General — Gun Reciprocity Frequently Asked Questions — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — On The Mark: A Guide to Concealed Handgun Laws in West Virginia (July 2024, incl. full text of W. Va. Code § 61-7-6a) — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map, as of October 1, 2025 — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Legislature — HB 4106 (2026 RS) enrolled text, amending § 61-7-7(c) (permitless carry 18+) — accessed 2026-09-27
- WV Legislature — HB 4106 bill history (approved 2026-04-01; effective June 12, 2026; Acts ch. 75) — accessed 2026-09-27
- W. Va. Code § 61-7-4 — License to carry deadly weapons (fees, training, term) (via Wayback 2025-11-16) — accessed 2026-09-27