KS: Governor Signs Gun Reform Bill

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed HB 2578 into law today, 23 April, 2014.   The law strengthens state preemption by preventing local governments from banning  the open carry of firearms and making the disclosure of the possession of a concealed carry license a condition of employment.  From kansas.com:

The governor has signed a bill that will bar local governments from enforcing local gun ordinances, his office announced Wednesday morning.

It requires adequate signage to prohibit the open carry of firearms by premises that choose to do so.   There is no penalty for open carrying in such premises unless the open carrier refuses to leave when asked to do so.

Guns that are forfeited to law enforcement agencies are mostly prohibited from being destroyed, unless used in a homicide. Local governments are not allowed to spend money on gun "buyback" programs

Local governments are given immunity from lawsuit for employees that commit a wrongful act with a firearm, and are not allowed to ask if employees have a concealed carry license as a condition of employment.   Local governments are allowed limit employees from possessing weapons while working.

Firearms may not be carried while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.   There are exceptions for private property and unloaded firearms.  The blood alcohol standards that apply to impaired driving are applied to the carry of loaded weapons. 

A broad knife pre-emption is part of this package, part of a trend that recognizes that knives are arms protected by the second amendment.

Governor Brownback signed another firearms reform bill a year ago on the 16th of April, 2013.


 ©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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