Kansas: Action Scheduled for Two NRA-Priority Bills

On Wednesday, February 6, Senate Bill 45 will be heard in the Kansas Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee at 9:30 a.m.

SB 45, introduced by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, is a common sense reform that would help preserve the rights of taxpayers to ensure that public funds are not used to pursue a political agenda against legal products.  Other states allow taxpayer funds to finance expensive advertisement campaigns that demonize perfectly legal products – from everyday consumer products, to firearms and ammunition.   SB 45 would prohibit this practice in Kansas and make sure that public money is not used to put law-abiding gun owners in the crosshairs of an agency with a political agenda.

It is imperative that you contact members of the Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee NOW and urge them to support Senate Bill 45.  Contact information for members of this Committee can be found here and is provided below:

Senator Dennis Pyle, Chairman
Phone:  785-742-3780
E-mail: [email protected]

Senator Mitch Holmes, Vice Chairman
Phone:  785-296-7667
E-mail:  [email protected]

Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau
Phone:  785-296-7387
E-mail:  [email protected]

Senator Steve Fitzgerald
Phone:  785-296-7357
E-mail:  [email protected] 

Senator David Haley
Phone:  785-296-7376
E-mail:  [email protected]

Senator Garrett Love
Phone:  785-296-7359
E-mail:  [email protected]

Senator Michael O’Donnell
Phone:  785-296-7391
E-mail:  [email protected]

Senator Greg Smith
Phone:  785-296-7367
E-mail:  [email protected]

Senator Kay Wolf
Phone:  785-296-7390
E-mail:  [email protected]

As reported previously, Senate Bill 21 is quickly moving through the Kansas Legislature and could be scheduled for a vote in the full Senate as early as Thursday, February 7.

SB 21, introduced by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, is a Right-to-Carry reform that would make a number of important changes.  The most substantial change 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.

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.   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.

It is important that you contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to support SB 21.  For help identifying your state Senator and their contact information, please click here.