NRAILA: Kansas Gun Reform out of Committee

Today, the state House Federal and State Affairs Committee passed House Bill 2473 by voice vote, sending it to the House floor.  HB 2473 was approved with the addition of a critical self-defense amendment offered by state Representative Michael Houser (R-1), which would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in their vehicle without having a concealed handgun license (CHL).  Please contact your state Representative TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to support this comprehensive legislation!

If passed and enacted into law, HB 2473 would expand Kansas’ firearms preemption provisions to open carry and prohibit municipalities from implementing local ordinances relating to the transportation of firearms.  Whether you choose to carry concealed, open carry or carry a knife for self-defense, HB 2473 would eliminate the complex patchwork of gun laws that arise from local regulations.

Along with addressing firearms preemption issues, HB 2473 would ban the use of taxpayer funds for so-called gun “buyback" programs.  These programs are a waste of taxpayer dollars and have no proven impact on crime reduction.  Additionally, this legislation would prohibit seized firearms not used in the commission of a felony from being destroyed by law enforcement agencies.  These firearms, so long as they are in operable condition, would either be sold to a licensed dealer (FFL) or donated to hunter education programs.  HB 2473 would also mandate that if a firearm has been seized by law enforcement and the owner is acquitted of the charges or the charges are dropped, the firearm must be returned to the owner within thirty days.

This comprehensive legislation also addresses permit confidentiality by prohibiting county, city or municipal employers from maintaining a database of employee permit holders.

Please contact your state Representative today and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 2473.  To identify your state Representative and get their contact information, please click here.

Your NRA fully supports these improvements to gun laws in the Sunflower State and will continue to keep you updated as HB 2473 progresses during the 2014 legislative session.  Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your e-mail inbox for further updates.