A committee in the Kansas House today (WED) amended and advanced a bill cutting back local regulations on firearms. The committee added a provision allowing Kansans to carry loaded guns in vehicles, without requiring a concealed carry permit. Representative Michael Houser, a Columbus Republican, says he openly carries a firearm at his home. This change would allow him to also carry it in his vehicle anywhere in Kansas.
Supporters of the bill say it will help create consistency across the state when it comes to gun regulations. Opponents say that local governments know their communities best and should be able to create their own local firearm regulations. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.
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The full Kansas House could soon consider a bill cutting back local government firearm regulations. That comes after a House committee amended and approved the legislation yesterday (WED). As KPR's Stephen Koranda reports, it would bar local governments from regulating the open carry of firearms and make other changes.
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Committee members added a provision saying Kansans could carry a loaded gun in their vehicle anywhere in the state, without requiring a concealed weapons permit. Now, local governments can bar keeping a loaded gun on your seat or in your glovebox. Representative Larry Campbell, an Olathe Republican, says you can carry in your home, so why not your car?
“It’s the same as being in your home. And, any crook is going to have a loaded chamber, so you need to be able to defend yourself,” says Campbell.
But Representative Valdenia Winn, a Kansas City, Kansas Democrat, isn’t sure it’s a good idea to allow loaded guns in cars across Kansas.
“Instead of public safety, we’re getting so comfortable being armed,” says Winn.
It’s not yet clear when exactly the full House will take up the bill.