State of Kansas Pawn Shop Laws

Kansas law does not allow criminals to retrieve pawned firearms.Kansas state contour with Capital City against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com

Pawn shops offer quick loans in exchange for holding onto property for a certain period of time. Many people find themselves turning to pawn shops to get money in an emergency; however, criminals also use pawn shops to fence stolen goods. In the state of Kansas, pawn shop owners must work with law enforcement to stop criminals from using them. They must also charge reasonable interest rates to their customers.

Pawning Firearms

As of 2010, Kansas law allows pawn shop owners to accept firearms from any person over the age of 18. However, a person must pass a criminal background check to retrieve a pawned firearm. A pawn shop owner who does not follow these laws can be prosecuted for criminal possession of a firearm.

Kansas pawn shops may charge interest of up to 120 percent. This means that pawn shops can legally charge up to $1,200 to retrieve an item worth $100. In 2009, legislators introduced a bill that would cap the interest rate for pawn shops at 36 percent.

Pawn shops in Kansas are required to turn pawn tickets and lists of pawned materials over to law enforcement agents when requested. Local police officers check pawn tickets to make sure paperwork is filled out appropriately. They also check pawned materials against lists of goods that have been reported stolen.