TOPEKA (KSNT) - Some odd-looking license plates appearing on the road are not just legally questionable, but may also be tied to a violent domestic extremist organization.
These license plates, sold through some online retailers, may display words like "Private" or "Free Man." Displaying one of these plates on your vehicle may be a mistake, however, according to state officials and law enforcement.
27 News reached out to sources with the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) to learn more about "sovereign citizen" license plates and whether or not they're considered legal to use in the place of the standard state-issued plates. KDOR spokesman Zachary Denny, responding to a 27 News inquiry, said these types of plates are not considered legal to use in the Sunflower State.
"Sovereign citizen license plates like the one attached to your email are not legal in Kansas," Denny said. "Any license plate not issued by the State of Kansas (or another State) would not be legal in Kansas."
KHP spokeswoman Candice Breshears also weighed in on the situation, saying these types of plates don't meet the requirements for a legally registered vehicle in Kansas. She said the KHP issues a "very large number" of citations for registration violations.
State law lays out what license plates are considered legal to use on vehicles in Kansas, along with what the punishment is for not using the right type of plate.
“It shall be unlawful and constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $2,500, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment, for any person to violate any of the provisions of K.S.A. 8-126 et seq., and amendments thereto, unless a different penalty is by this act otherwise prescribed.”
K.S.A. 8-149
The FBI classifies sovereign citizens as people who believe federal, state and local governments operate illegally. These individuals may commit minor offenses such as using fake license plates, driver's licenses and cash. While these violations of the law could be considered minor or odd, the FBI classifies people claiming to be sovereign citizens as being part of a domestic terrorist movement.
"Sovereign citizens believe they are not under the jurisdiction of the federal government and consider themselves exempt from U.S. law. They use a variety of conspiracy theories and falsehoods to justify their beliefs and their activities, some of which are illegal and violent."
Southern Poverty Law Center
Sovereign citizens believe themselves free from having to pay taxes, possessing a state-issued driver's license or obeying the law, according to the FBI. Believing in their own sets of rules and laws can and has brought them into conflict with law enforcement.
Kansans can choose from one of dozens of different options for distinctive license plates that are associated with educational institutions, the military and other organizations. The state also recently made the new 'To the Stars' standard license plate option available to residents.
"There is no way for Kansans to check whether a license plate is legal in Kansas but if the plate is not the standard or personalized Kansas plate or one of the many distinctive plates available, chances are it is not legal to use in Kansas," Denny said. "Drivers can contact their local county treasurer's office with any questions they may have regarding the legality of a license plate."
The KDOR has a running list of different license plate options on its website. To learn more about the 'To the Stars' standard license plate, click here.
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