Kansas: Right-to-Carry Reform Bill Advances in Topeka

In a rare unanimous vote, the Kansas Senate voted yesterday to expand the rights of law-abiding gun owners in the Sunflower State.  Senate Bill 21, introduced by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, would reform the state Right-to-Carry laws and strengthen the rights of Kansas’ law-abiding gun owners in several ways.  This bill now goes to the Kansas House of Representatives where it will be assigned to a committee for further consideration.

SB 21 is a Right-to-Carry reform that would make a number of important changes.  The most substantial change would allow for universal recognition of non-resident carry permits.  In other words, any law-abiding visitor from out-of-state with a valid state-issued carry permit would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun in Kansas.  This change would not only benefit concealed carry permit holders in other states but it will also make it more likely that other states will recognize Kansas’ carry permit.

Also under SB 21, new Kansas residents who hold a valid concealed carry permit from their previous state of residence would be able to instantly apply for a Kansas permit instead of waiting to acquire their official Kansas resident status.  New residents would be granted a temporary “180-day receipt” to carry on their old permit while their application is considered and processed.  The state Attorney General would also be able to create a list of states which meet or exceed Kansas’ requirements and that would automatically qualify for recognition for issuance of a Kansas permit.

Thank you to all of the state senators who supported this technical, yet important, improvement to Kansas’ firearm laws.  Thank you also to NRA members who contacted their state senators in support of SB 21.  Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you as this bill moves through the House but now is the time to contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support this bill when it comes up for a vote.