A legislative committee is considering a bill that would bar local governments in Kansas from passing any rules that restrict the open carry of firearms. It would also invalidate any local rules currently restricting open carry.
Representative Jim Howell, a Derby Republican, says the goal is to create consistency.
“So what this does, it just simply says we’re not going to let cities create a patchwork of laws, so that people can exercise their Second Amendment rights confidently, understanding the law, with simplicity," Howell says.
Some representatives of local governments argue that open carry decisions should be left up to localities.
City and county governments would also be prohibited from asking if employees have a concealed carry permit. Howell says he's worried about possible discrimination against those employees.
