The architect of the new Kansas concealed-carry gun lawused the final day of the 2013 legislative session Thursday to respond to his critics.
Republican Senator Forrest Knox of Altoona, Kan., urged local governments, schools and courts to abide by the letter and the spirit of the law.
"Armed and law-abiding citizens in Kansas are not a problem," Knox says. "Matter of fact, they're a solution, when trouble comes."
He says the law is intended to enhance public safety.
The measure adds more detail to the personal and family protection act; it mandates that local governments allow residents with permits to bring concealed weapons into public buildings, unless the building has another form of security.
Some local governments have asked for temporary exemptions from the law so that they can determine what security measures need to be added to buildings they want to keep gun-free. Others say they will work to overturn or amend the law because it infringes on local sovereignty.
Wichita's city council has asked for an extensionuntil next year while it studies the security needs for its more than 280 public buildings.