Kansas City Halloween Party Shooting: A Look At The State's Gun Laws

At least one person was killed and six were injured Monday after a Halloween party shooting in Kansas City. Two of the injured were in critical condition, law enforcement officials said.

Karl Oakman, the Kansas City Police Chief, told CNN the shooting happened after a group of uninvited attendees were asked to leave the Halloween party.

"The homeowners asked them to leave. As they left, they started shooting up the house. Shooting randomly. Everyone has guns now. We need to be smarter than this," Oakman said, adding no arrests had been as of Monday night.

How gun-friendly is Kansas?

Kansas has one of the most lenient gun permit laws in the United States. Kansas is ranked 45 out of 50 on the gun safety strength rank index of the Giffords Law Center. Kansas has few conditions under which an individual would be prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

What is the minimum age to buy guns in Kansas?

Minors are not restricted from purchasing a firearm in Kansas. An individual under the age of 18 is free to buy a gun that has a barrel longer than 12 inches. In June last year, Kansas lawmakers lowered the age limit for concealed carry, allowing 18-year-olds to possess firearms in public.

What about background checks?

Kansas laws do not require any background checks for people wishing to purchase a firearm "when the seller is not a licensed dealer," according to The Giffords Law Center. However, Kansas does prohibit individuals from transferring ownership of the firearm to certain individuals. These include minors (if the barrel is smaller than 12 inches), an unlawful user of a controlled substance, a convicted felon or a "mentally ill person subject to involuntary commitment for care."

Where are firearms prohibited in Kansas?

Kansas law prohibits individuals to carry weapons onto school grounds. This too, however, has some exceptions. Parents, guardians or custodians of the student can still carry a lawful gun inside a motor vehicle.

Other areas where firearms are prohibited, include any building located within the capitol complex, the governor's residence, any county courthouse or any other state-owned or leased building.