Government

On April 26, US Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter to Gov. Sam Brownback that states the new Kansas law attempting to block federal regulation of some guns is unconstitutional. That new law took effect April 25, just one day earlier.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

The new law declares the federal government has no authority to regulate guns, ammunition and accessories manufactured, sold and kept only in Kansas. The law also makes it a felony for a federal agent to enforce any law, regulation, order or treaty covering those items.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says his office is working overtime to keep up with the influx of applications for concealed-carry permits.

Schmidt's office received almost 3,500 in April, making it the third-highest month since the state's licensing program began in 2007.

The office also received a record 4,072 applications in March for the licenses.

Schmidt says his office has been criticized for not processing applications within the legal maximum of 90 days.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has told Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback that a new state law attempting to block federal regulation of some guns is unconstitutional and that the federal government is willing to go to court over the issue.

The U.S. attorney's office for Kansas on Thursday released a copy of a letter from Holder to Brownback.

Gov. Sam Brownback has named district court judges to fill two vacancies.

Brownback named Linda Gilmore of Liberal to replace Judge Kim Schroeder in the 26th District in southwest Kansas. Schroeder was appointed earlier to the Court of Appeals. The 26th District covers Grant, Haskell, Morton, Seward, Stanton and Stevens counties.

The governor also appointed Aaron Roberts of Kansas City, Kan., to fill an opening in the 29th District, which covers Wyandotte County. Roberts fills an opening left by the retirement of Judge Ernest Johnson.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran says the next federal farm bill is likely to cut back or eliminate some farm subsidies. The Republican from Manhattan says that while many lawmakers are focused on cutting spending, he's hoping to protect money allocated to support the federal crop insurance program.

Moran says that Kansas farmers' need for crop insurance has been shown in recent years, with drought and late spring freezes among the challenges they've been facing.