Kansas: State House Passes “Shall Certify” Legislation, Will be Heard Tomorrow by Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee

Yesterday, House Bill 2578 passed unanimously in the Kansas House of Representatives.  It has been referred to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, where it is expected to be heard tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.  HB 2578, authored by state Representative Richard Carlson (R-61) and sponsored by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, would require a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) to sign off on an application to transfer a firearm or any other item regulated by the National Firearms Act (suppressor, short barreled rifle/shotgun, machinegun) within fifteen days, as long as the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm or other item.

Under current law, a CLEO may refuse to sign off for any reason, including their own personal feelings toward NFA-related items, which has created issues for law-abiding citizens.  HB 2578 would bring the CLEO signoff process in line with the standard that sheriffs in Kansas are already using when signing off on a concealed carry permit.  By removing any possibility of personal bias, which may reside behind many CLEO's refusing to sign off, and creating a statewide standard, HB 2578 protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners across the Sunflower State.

The NRA thanks members of the Kansas House of Representatives for supporting this important pro-gun legislation.  Please thank your state Representative for voting for HB 2578.  Contact information for your state Representative can be found here.  In addition, please use the contact information below to call AND e-mail members of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee and urge them to support HB 2578. 

Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee:
 
Senator Ralph Ostmeyer (R-40), Chairman 
785-296-7399
[email protected]
 
Senator Clark Shultz (R-35), Vice-Chairman 
785-296-7354
[email protected]
 
Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D-29)
785-296-7387
[email protected]
 
Senator Tom Holland (D-3)
785-296-7372
[email protected]
 
Senator Mitch Holmes (R-33)
785-296-7667
[email protected]
 
Senator Jacob LaTurner (R-13)
785-296-7370
[email protected]
 
Senator Jeff Longbine (R-17)
785-296-7384
[email protected]
 
Senator Robert Olson (R-23)
785-296-7358
[email protected]
 
Senator Caryn Tyson (R-12)
785-296-6838
[email protected]