Kansas Senate Passes Constitutional Carry

The Kansas Senate has passed SB 45, the bill that moves Kansas into the constitutional carry status of Arkansas, Arizona, Alaska, Wyoming, and Vermont.  If the bill passes the house and is signed by Governor Brownback, a person who can legally own a firearm and who is 21 or over will be able to carry a firearm concealed without fear of prosecution.   The bill, SB 45 had 26 cosponsors and was introduced by the Majority leader, Terry Bruce, of Hutchinson.  The bill passed with an overwhelming, veto proof, bi-partisan margin of 31 to 7. 

The seven members that voted against the bill were: Faust-Goudeau (D), Francisco(D), Hawk(D), Hensley(D), Holland(D), Pettey(D), and Kay Wolf(R).

Two Senators McGinn(R) and Schmidt(R) were present but did not vote.

Two Democrat Senators Haley and Kelly, voted for the bill.

Kansas has been in the forefront of restoring second amendment rights for several years.  In 2010, the state voted to provide greater protection of the right to keep and bear arms in its constitution, with 88% of the vote.  in 2013, Kansas counties were required to do away with gun free zones in public buildings, unless they actually enforced them with metal detectors and armed guards.  In 2013, Kansas reformed their antiquated knife laws.  In 2014, Kansas strengthened its firearms preemption statute, which reinforced open carry rights in the state, and included broad knife preemption law.  The legislature also required that Chief law enforcement officers sign the required forms when people applied to pay the federal tax on short barrelled rifles, shotguns, and gun mufflers.

All of this is quite appropriate, as Kansas is the state where the whole mythology that the second amendment is only a "collective right" that applies to a militia, started.  The Kansas supreme court created the concept out of thin air in1905, as the "Progressive" movement gained cultural power and clout.

Here is what Courthouse News says about SB45: 

Senate Bill 45 repeals the permit requirement to carry a concealed handgun but "leaves all other regulations and the permitting process intact," Stoneking said. "In essence, this bill simply allows for law-abiding citizens, aged 21 and over, to carry a concealed handgun without having to pay the government for permission."
     S.B. 45 is sponsored by a majority of the Republican-controlled Senate and House.

Here is what the  NRAILA has to say about bill:

 Authored by Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce (R-34), SB 45 recognizes Kansans’ freedom to legally carry a concealed firearm without the burdensome requirement of acquiring a Kansas concealed carry handgun license (CCHL).  This is a necessary update to concealed carry in Kansas, allowing law-abiding gun owners the ability to better protect themselves and their loved ones.  In Kansas, it is already legal to carry a firearm openly, as long as the individual is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.  However, under current law, if a firearm becomes covered by a coat or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm for self-protection in her purse, he or she would need to possess a CCHL.

The bill is expected to pass the House, which is in recess until March 4th.  Governor Brownback has not said whether he will sign the bill,  but the senate votes are far more than necessary for a veto override.

 ©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch