KS:Gun Reform Goes to Governor Brownback

Gun Watch ^ | 11 April, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

The Kansas legislature has passed the current gun law reform bill by overwhelming margins and sent it to Governor Brownback for signature or veto.    The bill, HB2578/SB447, strengthens state preemption language that limits the power of local governments to chill the exercise of second amendment rights.

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.

Kansas has restored significant portions of second amendment rights in recent years.   It seems likely that Governor Brownback will sign this legislation.    He signed firearms reform legislation a year ago on April 16th.  This law builds on that reform.

The final vote was 102-19.
 

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

[marktwain]

The facts, the Constitution, and the culture are on the side of an armed citizenry.

[Lurker]

Good on Kansas! FWIW I start my Illinois CCW classes next week. 4 hours of range instruction followed by 4 hours of classroom instruction on the law. Then an 8 hour NRA Basic Pistol class.

Then submit the paperwork to the Illinois State Police along with $150 and I will be good to go.

[Ex-Pat in Mex]

I start my 1st Amendment classes next week and send in my $150 for a permit to do what the Constitution reiterates are my inherent God-given, Constitutionally protected rights.

The only reason I have to essentially have my private property (my $150) stolen is because some tyrants “infringed” on my rights of speak... by passing laws that “infringe” on my rights, in spite of clear language that states that no law may be passed that “infringes.”

While I applaud any steps used to restore what was stolen from us... no new law is needed to arrest the traitors who required this effort to reclaim what was stolen.

Laws about treason are still on the books and their signatures are on the previous legislation proving their tyranny. This law proves that they were tyrants and committing treason.

They need to be arrested. There is no statute of limitations on treason.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

My question would be what objects are considered as being inclusive in the word “knife”? Because it is such a simple thing, there are any number of iterations of it.

[dd5339]

So open carry is legal in Kansas?

How about Lawrence? Would love to drive the hippys nuts in Lawrence walking down the street with a pistol on my hip next time I wander up that way.

Semper Fi

[marktwain]

As used in this section:
(1) “Knife” means a cutting instrument and includes a sharpened or pointed
blade.

[PoloSec]

In some states things are getting better, I prefer a simple Bill that reads...The Right To Keep And Bear Arms Shall Not Be Infringed.

Not my original idea, but I remember reading it somewhere./S

[Starstruck]

My question would be what objects are considered as being inclusive in the word “knife”?

In Kansas just about anything. Switchblades, dirks, daggers, stilettos and throwing stars are legal.