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Kansas House Committee Votes To Ease Concealed Carry Rules

WickedVT, flickr Creative Commons

A Kansas House committee has advanced a bill that would allow people over the age of 21 to carry a concealed firearm in Kansas without a permit. State law currently requires training and a background check before residents can carry a concealed gun.

Republican Representative Travis Couture-Lovelady says Kansans shouldn’t have to ask for permission from the government to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

“And I think the citizens of Kansas have proved that they are able to safely carry concealed without problems,” says Couture-Lovelady.

Democratic Representative John Wilson says training and background checks increase public safety, particularly in the case of concealed weapons.

“Though I’m a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, I think this bill goes too far too fast in removing any and all regard for safety when it comes to carrying a concealed handgun,” says Wilson.

The bill has already passed the Senate. It now goes to the full Kansas House for consideration.

Stephen Koranda is the managing editor of the Kansas News Service, based at KCUR. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public media as a reporter and editor.