Kansas: State Legislature Advances Several Pro-Gun Bills

Several pro-gun bills are on the move in Topeka this week.  Today, the Kansas Senate voted 35 to 5 in favor of a comprehensive pro-gun package, House Bill 2052.  HB 2052, as originally drafted, would have exempted the lawful discharge of firearms—whether for hunting or self-defense—from criminal prosecution.  However, the state Senate altered the bill’s language and added several more pro-gun improvements.  HB 2052 will now go before a conference committee and then on for final approval by both legislative chambers.

House Bill 2052 was amended to include the following pro-gun reforms:

• Would require that government and public buildings that prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense to screen all visitors for weapons.  This would ensure that ALL individuals who enter the buildings are disarmed, not just the law-abiding citizens who choose to follow the law.  If a building lacks the adequate security measures necessary to screen all visitors, then residents with a concealed carry license would be allowed to carry a firearm to protect themselves while visiting that particular building.
• Would make the personal information of concealed carry license applicants confidential and exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Would exempt law enforcement officers from the training requirements necessary to obtain a concealed carry license.
• Would authorize school officials to allow staffers and visitors to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense.

Thank you to the 35 Senators who voted for HB 2052 and to NRA members who contacted their state legislators in support of this critical pro-gun reform.

In other pro-gun action, the Kansas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 21, an important Right-to-Carry reform, by a 119 to 13 vote late last night.  Introduced by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, SB 21 already passed in the Senate by a unanimous vote and now goes to Governor Sam Brownback (R) for his consideration.

SB 21 is a Right-to-Carry reform that would make a number of important changes such as universal recognition of non-resident carry permits, allowing any law-abiding visitor from out-of-state with a valid state-issued carry permit to carry a concealed handgun in Kansas for self-defense.  Also under SB 21, new Kansas residents who hold a valid concealed carry permit from their previous state of residence would be able to instantly apply for a Kansas permit instead of waiting to acquire their official Kansas resident status.

Thank you to state representatives who stood up for Kansas’ law-abiding gun owners and to NRA members who contacted their state legislators in support of SB 21.  Please contact Governor Brownback and politely ask him to sign Senate Bill 21 into law.

Governor Sam Brownback

Phone:  785-296-3232

Email