Kansas: NRA-Backed Bills Advance in the Sunflower State

Today, the Kansas Senate voted 32 to 8 to pass Senate Bill 45, an important pro-gun reform that would prohibit taxpayer money from financing gun control campaigns in any manner. This bill now goes to the state House of Representatives where it will be assigned to an appropriate committee for further consideration. SB 45 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 our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Another bill of interest to sportsmen and hunters in Kansas has been scheduled for a hearing this Friday in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Senate Bill 223, introduced by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, would allow all hunters the opportunity to use a crossbow during the big game archery season. This bill will help increase hunter participation and preserve Kansas’ rich hunting heritage at a time when hunter numbers are rapidly declining across the country. Please contact members of the committee and respectfully urge them to support this pro-hunting reform.

In the state House of Representatives, the Federal and State Affairs Committee approved three bills that would expand the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Kansas:

• Senate Bill 21, would make a number of technical, but significant improvements to the state Right-to-Carry laws, including universal recognition of non-resident carry permits.

• House Bill 2055, seeks to allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense in any public building that lacks adequate security. This would be a significant step towards reducing the number of “gun-free zones” that are so often the targets of violent crime and allow citizens their inherent right to self-defense.
• House Bill 2052, would exempt residents from prosecution if they discharge a firearm legally – whether for hunting or self-defense. 

After passing through its committee, SB 21 has been sent to the full legislative body but has not been made eligible for final action at this time. However, HB 2055 and HB 2052 are eligible for the House’s final approval and could be voted on as early as tomorrow. Please contact your Representative and urge him or her to support these bills.

Thank you to the senators who voted for SB 45 and to the NRA members who have contacted their state legislators in support of these pro-gun reforms.