By Lina Bryce
Kansas residents 21-years-old and older can carry concealed firearms without a permit. This was approved by the state House 85-39 on Wednesday, despite some members’ concerns that the state would no longer require training, according to KCTV news.
The Senate passed the measure last month, but the House made a technical change in committee that senators must review. The Senate signed off, 31-8, about two hours after the House’s vote.
Currently, an individual wishing to own and carry a firearm would have first acquire a permit that costs $132.50 undergo eight hours of firearms training, which opponents still feel should still be a requirement.
The people of Kansas have elected a Legislature that is not only Republican dominated, but strong on Second Amendment rights. It is expected that Republican, Gov. Sam Brownback will swiftly, sign the bill into law.
The House also approved, 100-24, a bill prohibiting cities and counties from imposing special fees and taxes on guns or gun sales. This bill is in response to last year’s law that aimed to nullify local restrictions.
Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, of Palco said, “Carrying a gun is a lifestyle. The government should trust its citizens.”
Kansas would become the fifth state to allow concealed carry without a permit everywhere within its borders, according to the NRA.
Before Kansas enacted its law in 2006, citizens were always trusted to carry firearms if they chose to, and backers of the bill still feel the same. According to KCTV‘s article, about 87,000 people 21 and older hold valid permits.
“Kansans already have two documents granting them the right to concealed carry — the Constitution of the United States and the Kansas Constitution,” Couture-Lovelady said. “That should be all they need.”
The state would continue to issue permits so that its residents could carry concealed in other states that recognize Kansas permits.
Recently, West Virginia’s House and Senate passed a bill repealing the permit requirement in their state, but the measure was vetoed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (D), who chose to side with Moms Demand Action and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) over the rights of West Virginians.
Naturally, Kansas Democrats met supporters with some resistance to the recent decision.
Kansas lawmakers are “getting caught up in extremism”, said House Minority Leader Tom Burroghs, a Kansas City Democrat.
Taking issue with the loss of the training requirement, Rep. John Wilson, a Lawrence Democrat said, “I have concerns with the type of culture that we’re creating, when guns are in more places, particularly among children.
Wilson contended, “If I walk into a restaurant with my family with my 2 1/2-year-old son, I won’t know who has been properly trained and who has not,” he said. “At least if I see their gun I can leave, but now I have no idea.”
One Kansas state representative went so far as to suggest that the people of Kansas would suddenly turn violent, as a result.
“We’re coming into the New West,” said Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-Kansas City, “We’ll have gun fights.
Supporters continue to assert their position not only are gun owners responsible, but that they shouldn’t have to ask the government’s permission to carry concealed.
Couture-Lovelady told The Topeka Capital-Journal, “It’s simply a feel-good measure. This bill is about freedom and liberty. No more tests. No more fees. No license. Carrying a gun is a lifestyle. The government should trust its citizens.“
