Kansas City, MO Relaxes Ban on Open Carry – Because it Had To

Kansas City, Missouri – The Kansas City Council banned openly-carried firearms this summer, but recently had to amend the ban–or allow everyone to carry openly. While some are reporting this as a lift of the ban, it’s really just a modification.

The Missouri state senate’s Bill 656, which contains many pro-gun facets as well as strict regulations on the carrying of firearms, was vetoed by governor Jay Nixon when it passed. There was plenty of support for it in the state legislature, though, so they overrode his veto.

In perhaps one of the dumbest statements ever, Governor Nixon reportedly said, “I cannot condone putting firearms in the hands of educators. Arming teachers will not make our schools safer.”

Thankfully, the people’s representatives ensured that the governor’s anti-gun bias doesn’t matter in this case.

Because it is now law, local prohibitions on carrying firearms–such as the Kansas City ban mentioned above–were negated. If the city council had left this summer’s ban in place, it would ironically have meant that anyone could openly carry a firearm in the city, reported the Kansas City Star.

By modifying their city’s law, the council ensures that only citizens who has applied for and received the proper paperwork may carry a firearm openly or concealed within city limits. The legislation allows police to challenge open-carriers, who must produce their “concealed carry endorsement or permit upon demand of a law enforcement officer.”

Personally, I don’t endorse open carry in most situations. One reason is that you might get your gun stolen, like this guy did.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.