Kansas: Legislature Passes Many Pro-Gun Reforms This Year

Last August and November, Kansas gun owners -- exhausted from making calls, knocking on doors and engaging in all manners of election activity -- celebrated as their grassroots efforts delivered strong pro-gun majorities in both chambers of the Kansas Legislature.  No longer would efforts to restore, protect and advance Second Amendment freedoms be stymied in the state Senate.  As the 2013 regular legislative session adjourns, the fruits of that labor, along with the work of those elected officials, have resulted in the passage of significant pro-gun legislation.

On Friday, the Kansas Senate passed a conference committee report by a 32 to 7 vote that included the language from House Bill 2052.  Just hours later, the state House concurred by a 104-16 vote and this legislation was sent to the Governor for his consideration.

House Bill 2052, as originally drafted, exempted the lawful discharge of firearms—whether for hunting or self-defense—from criminal prosecution but was amended in conference committee to include the following pro-gun reforms:

• Modifies the Personal and Family Protection Act to allow possession of firearms on certain government property, including state and municipal buildings.
• Requires adequate security measures at public entrances of state and municipals buildings that are posted to ensure that if responsible gun owners are not allowed to carry firearms, they can be reasonably sure that criminals are disarmed.
• Prevents state agencies and municipalities from prohibiting an employee who has obtained a Concealed Carry License (CCL) from carrying at the employee’s workplace unless the workplace has adequate security measures.
• Provides that it will not be a violation for a CCL holder to carry a concealed handgun through a restricted access entrance into a state municipal building with adequate security measures.
• Enacts liability protections for public entities allowing concealed carry in state or municipal buildings.
• Exempts the state Capitol from the provisions on and after July 1, 2014, and allows CCL holders to carry a concealed handgun in the state Capitol unless the Legislative Coordinating Council determines the Statehouse does not have adequate security measures.
• Exempts law enforcement officers from the training requirements necessary to obtain a CCL.
• Authorizes school districts, post-secondary educational institutions, public medical care facilities, public adult care homes, community mental health centers and indigent health care clinics to decide whether to allow staffers and visitors to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense if they meet the entity’s policy requirements.
• Unless otherwise required by law, prohibits the release of records that would disclose the name, home address, zip code, e-mail address, phone number or cell number, or other contact information of any CCL holder. (This provision also would apply to CCL applicants.)
• Provides a liability shield for private businesses and entities against actions taken by CCL holders if they allow concealed carry on their premises.
• In addition to the provisions listed here there were many technical and substantive changes contained in this bill that improve the overall environment for gun owners and CCL holders in Kansas.

The NRA-ILA would like to thank state legislators who sponsored and supported it, and NRA members who pushed for it.

Therefore, please take a moment to contact Governor Sam Brownback and respectfully encourage him to sign House Bill 2052 into law.

Also on Friday, Senate Bill 21 was signed into law by Governor Sam Brownback.  SB 21 is a right-to-carry reform bill that would make a number of important changes.  The most substantial of these changes would allow for universal recognition of non-resident carry permits.  In other words, any law-abiding visitor from out-of-state with a valid state-issued carry permit would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun in Kansas.  This change would not only benefit concealed carry permit holders in other states but it will also make it more likely that other states will recognize Kansas’ carry permit.

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.  New residents would be granted a temporary “180-day receipt” to carry on their old permit while their application is considered and processed.  The state Attorney General would also be able to create a list of states which meet or exceed Kansas’ requirements and that would automatically qualify for recognition for issuance of a Kansas permit.

When you contact Governor Brownback and encourage him to sign HB 2052 into law, please thank him for signing SB 21 into law.

NRA members in Kansas spoke loudly this session, and their state legislators answered the call.  However, your action is still needed to advance a critical pro-gun reform, Senate Bill 45.

Senate Bill 45 which preserves the rights of taxpayers to ensure that public funds are not used to lobby or otherwise advocate for gun control, has been agreed to be included in a conference committee report to be prepared during the veto session in early May.  This is bill is part of a larger agreement between the state Senate and House leadership that will be considered during the veto session.  We need to stop the practice of using your taxpayer dollars to fund gun control campaigns and lobby against you Second Amendment rights.  Please contact your state legislators and ask them to help ensure that Senate Bill 45 is included in a conference report during the veto session this year.  Click here for help identifying your legislators and their contact information.