Kansas may take a step back into its Old West days as an open carry gun law goes into effect July 1.
The new law, HB 2578, passed by the Kansas Legislature, will allow people to openly carry a firearm in Kansas.
According to a Kansas City, Kan., police spokesman, persons will be allowed to carry a firearm in a holster, a rifle on a sling, or a gun simply pointed in a safe direction while carrying it.
According to a news release from the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, there are a few exceptions to the open carry law:
• – A person may not possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics that causes them to be incapable of safely operating the firearm.
• – A person may not possess a firearm who is both addicted to and an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
• – A convicted felon may not possess a firearm.
• – A person may not be suffering from a mental illness that would be cause for involuntary commitment.
• – A person under 18 may not possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches.
• – Automatic weapons are prohibited.
• – A shotgun shall not have a barrel of less than 18 inches.
• – A person may not possess a firearm on any unified school district or accredited nonpublic school property or in attendance of school events for grades K-12.
• For more detail refer to K.S.A. 21-6301.
Business owners within Kansas City, Kan., may prohibit the carrying of firearms into their business by posting the proper signage. The link to the proposed signs and regulations is http://ag.ks.gov/public-safety/concealedcarry/2014-proposed-signage.
The Board of Trustees of a Community College may restrict or prohibit the open carry or concealed carry into some or all buildings.
A city or county (municipality) as defined by K.S.A. 2013 Supp 75-7c20, may adopt personnel policies to restrict the concealed carry of handguns in the municipal building in which the employee’s work place is located if the building is exempt from the provisions of K.S.A. 2013 Supp 75-7c20 or if the building is posted as prohibiting concealed carry and adequate security measures are provided.
Proposed signs for local governments and businesses are on the Kansas attorney general’s website at http://ag.ks.gov/public-safety/concealedcarry/2014-proposed-signage.