Media reports today are that Gov. Sam Brownback has signed into law a concealed carry bill that would make it possible for people in Kansas to carry concealed weapons without a permit or training.
Kansas became one of only five states that allowed concealed carry without a permit and without training.
Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, R-5th Dist., stated in his newsletter, “The change that Kansas has made from prohibiting concealed carry to constitutional carry is a lesson in making changes by engaging people, discussing issues, providing information, and taking a series of steps. Those that demand immediate change and those that demand no change are left out when reasonable citizens are engaged and working for what is best for Kansas.”
People who are prohibited by state and federal law from carrying firearms will not be allowed to carry concealed weapons, according to the new law.
Senators from districts in Wyandotte County who voted for the concealed carry legislation March 25, according to the Senate Journal, were Sen. Fitzgerald and Sen. David Haley D-4th Dist. Voting against it was Sen. Pat Pettey, D-6th Dist.
According to the House Journal, a representative in Wyandotte County who voted for the final version of the bill March 25 was Rep. Stan Frownfelter, D-37th Dist., and those who voted against it were Rep. Tom Burroughs, Rep. Pam Curtis, Rep. Broderick Henderson, Rep. Louis Ruiz, Rep. Valdenia Winn and Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore.
Rep. Burroughs’ statement on the vote: I vote no on SB 45 because concealed carry licenses ensure that certain core public safety standards are preserved when people are carrying hidden, loaded guns in public places. Local law enforcement officials have urged this body to oppose the measure because it eliminates such standards and allows almost anyone to carry a concealed gun. The current licensing process is responsible public policy that provides the necessary training and background checks—we should not abolish it.“
A statement signed by Rep. Winn, Rep. Henderson, and Rep. Curtis: “I’m voting no on SB 45 because it dismantles Kansas’ permit requirement for concealed carry. As a proponent of the Second Amendment I am in favor of common sense gun laws, but allowing anyone to carry a gun without adequate training or a background check threatens the safety of our communities. SB 45 would weaken restrictions on who can carry a concealed, loaded gun under Kansas law—to include people with criminal histories and people who have never handled a handgun before. Removing permit requirements is bad public policy, and I do not support it.”
For more information on the concealed carry law, visit http://cjonline.com/news/2015-04-02/gov-sam-brownback-signs-bill-end-conceal-carry-license-mandate.