Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed Senate Bill 45 into law Thursday, legislation that allows law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearm without a permit, local media reports.
“Responsible gun ownership, for protection and sport, is a right inherent in our Constitution,” said the Republican governor. “It is a right that Kansans hold dear and have repeatedly and overwhelmingly reaffirmed a commitment to protecting.”
Prior to the bill’s passage, Kansas residents had to complete eight hours of training, pass a background check and pay a $132.50 fee to obtain a concealed carry permit. Now residents can carry without having to satisfy those requirements.
“I strongly encourage anyone who has a gun – for protection or sport – to take advantage of existing safety training courses,” Brownback said.
One can still obtain a Kansas-issued concealed carry permit for out-of-state reciprocity purposes, i.e. it would allow one to travel into other states with a concealed firearm.
SB-45 was backed by the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action.
“On behalf of the NRA’s five-million members, we want to thank Governor Brownback and Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce for their leadership on this critical issue,” said Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the NRA-ILA.
“This new law is a common sense measure that allows law-abiding Kansans to exercise their fundamental right to self-protection in the manner that best suits their needs,” added Cox.
Not surprisingly, the bill was opposed by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America which pointed to a study showing that 78 percent of Kansans opposed changing the concealed carry issuing standard.
“Moms, gun violence survivors, gun shop owners and plenty of other Kansans spoke out against this dangerous setback for public safety,” said TerriLynn Barnett Miller, of the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Governor Brownback ignored us, looked the other way and our state will be less safe as a result.”
Kansas is now one of a handful of states — Alaska, Arizona, Vermont, Wyoming and Montana (in rural areas) — that have Constitutional carry laws on the books.
I used to live in Ca I moved about ten years. I now live in the free state of AZ. I have done every thing that I could do to help the people of the communist socialist dictatorship of California.But how can you help people that won’t help themselves. They go out and find a broke down old liberal like Jerry Brown who was governor sometime in the 1980 and put him back in office. He was a piece of shit in the 1980 and he is a commie now and like fine wine shit does not improve with age. Ca is a beautiful state I grew up there. This Shit started after the late great Ronald Regan left office and it’s been a down hill fight since. That whole state needs to be purged from liberials and turned back over to the people.to this day I still own a beautiful 26 floor condo in San Diego that I pay out rages property taxes on.
Isn’t it about time the people in ca. Stand up for there rights ? How can a hand full of politions change the constitution. Is don’t say you have the right to keep and bear arms only if the government gives you permission
I don’t think that some folks realize what a great responsibility you take on when you are carrying a tool with the ability to end another human beings life. Training is paramount to shoulder such a responsibility. I too believe that it is our right under the constitution to keep and bear arms. Every law abiding citizen has that right no matter what state of residence you are in Federal Law has precedent over any other ordinance or statute. Be safe and be effective in the face of danger. Stop someone who is ruthlessly committing murder like those islamic terrorists who killed those innocent people recently in California. Be armed but not dangerous. Train. Train ,then Train more until you are able to act without hesitation if Deadly Force becomes the last resort. Please don’t take the responsibility lightly.
What a wonderful price of info thank you very much I know the rest of us are stupid a retired LEO
Isn’t it about time the people in ca. Stand up for there rights ? How can a hand full of politions change the constitution. Is don’t say you have the right to keep and bear arms only if the government gives you permission
I have lived my whole life in Hawaii. 60 years now I have been denied my constitutional right to carry a firearm. Hearing this makes me so very happy for Kansas, and so much more sorry for Hawaii. I’m taking my wife and moving to Texas. After all I just want to feel my freedom for a while before I’m too old to enjoy it.
Hey Mike, what a great place to live.
I’m 55 from CA, and been surfing since 1970.
I planned on living on Kauai, but haven’t made the move because of the same reasons you have.
California sucks as well, I might end up in the Rockies somewhere if CA doesn’t change back.
Anyway, good for you. Enjoy life.
Come on Louisiana, forcing people to pay for courses and for the license is equivalent to a poll tax to vote!
Has anyone complaining that the NEW people carrying weapons without training or a legal process; stopped to think that the Bad guys have been doing it for years?
That’s a good one Malft.
The 2nd amd. Says we can have guns. It dosent say if we have a back ground check or that we have to be trained. I’ve been through many cleet firearms courses in oklahoma . As a correctional officer and as an armed security guard. Citizens should not be required to go through any thing it is there right.
I think training should be a requirement. I wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick or Harry who has no clue which way the weapon should be pointed running around with a firearm because they think it’s cool. Believe me there would be plenty of those if training wasn’t required. Plus it’s important that anyone who carries know the laws governing the use of deadly force and consequences of that action. That course could be no more than 4 hours or so with some brief visit to a firing range to get a feel of the weapon and it’s capabilities. That training should be offered by the state at cost. The $132.00 fee to obtain the permit from the state should be eliminated for any and all who have completed the training. That fee is nothing more than another way for the government to try and prevent law abiding citizens to carry a firearm.
What several of you guys are saying is that you don’t trust your fellow citizens to have the brains to know anything about their weapon including which end of the gun should be pointed downrange. Too bad. While I know there are fools among us, most that I have seen are those who would no more own a gun (after all, this inanimate object kills people all the time) than they would carry a two headed rattle snake in their pants!
When push comes to shove, the vast majority of people are bright enough to do the right thing. I, for one, believe that more guns means less crime & everyone being armed makes for a much more polite society. I also believe that our God given right to protect ourselves, our family & other loved ones as well as fellow citizens, as enumerated in the US Constitution, should be all we need in order to be armed whenever we choose.
Like Brian I have a concealed carry license, one I had to wait a long time to get due to the very backward laws here in Illinois. We require 16 hours of training as well as the ability to pass the shooting portion which is ten rounds each from 5 yds, 7 yds and 10 yds. I have no complaint whatsoever with the required training, I do think it filters out some of the casual shooters when they understand the responsibility. My complaint is the cost, $150 for the application, about $250 for the class, $80 for fingerprinting and about $100 for enough ammo to practice and pass the test. At about $600 you’ve already discouraged a large percentage of the population. It is about the money.
In Utah we can get a concealed carry permit for usually $50 (sometimes $25) for the class, fingerprint forms, photo and another (I think)$50 for the background check. Then when we buy a gun Our permit saves us the $7.50 background check fee. :^)
Wow $100 for 30 rounds? Ammo is expensive in illnoise!
I’ve had a concealed carry permit scince 1990 when Ms. Law changed. I joined the Ms. Army National Guard in 1979 and trained at Fort Knox as a 19F (Tank Driver) . I was just 17 years old in May of 1980 when I went through basic training and AIT there. I made expert with every weapon they let me shoot. M 16, 45 pistol,and the 45 submachinegun (grease gun). I had completed training before I turned 18 in the Fall. I have had to go take an 8 hour course in order to get my permit enhanced so I can carry places like where liquor is served. A total waste of my time and money. I have had more firearms training than the ordinary citizen would ever need by my 18th birthday. I’ve never pulled or pointed a weapon on anyone. I hope that never becomes my last option. If I ever have to im sure not going to threaten my enemy. I will surely aquire the target and fire. If you reach the point of no other option you must follow through with the appropriate action required to eliminate the threat to yourself and others. This should never be taken lightly. It is a heavy burden to bear and not for the novice.
I do believe some training should be required. However the time and expense in most cases are ridiculous.
I believe we should have concealed carry permits, but they should be issued anyone who can pass a background check. I also agree with taking a training class as a person with a gun who does not know how to properly us it can be more dangerous than some of the criminals.
It’s about time we honor our own rights instilled by our fore fathers and the constitution! Amen
We’ll see…..
While I have my concealed carry permit and carry often and while I fully support the right to concealed carry and open carry in most cases, this legislation, the Governer, and those posting so far assume that those that were not responsible and disciplined enough to go through the process to obtain a permit will automatically be responsible gun carriers and yes, regardless of what you believe, carrying a gun all of the time comes with tremendous responsibility. At least the permitting process ensured to some degree that the person interested in carrying could show some proficiency with the gun and understood the law regarding use of deadly force in defense of oneself or another. Now a person of legal age to purchase a firearm does not need to do any of that, they can go buy a real neat gun, find a cool holster, strap it on and off they go!
We’ll see.
I believe the 2nd amendment is my right to carry! The rest of the States with carry laws requiring a permit is solely for money.
The “ANYTHING FOR A BUCK” POLITICS.
I wish the politicians here in Ga had the b-lls to to the right things as Kansas has. The state should not interfere with our constitutional right . Also, how many times do we have to prove that public safety increases as legal gun ownership and carrying increases not the other way around. I have an anti-gun nut next to me that sure was quick to call me when she came home and thought there was someone in her house. She begged me to bring a gun and make sure her house was clear. Nice to have a constitutionalist living next door huh!
Good for Kansas. Come on Texas get on the band wagon.
Did not see anything about this on the National news casts, wonder why
Thank you Governor Brownback for being one of a handful of politicians that is finally using some common sense regarding this issue. I only can hope that soon other politicos will, in the near future, also take the intent of our Constitution more seriously and allow law abiding citizens the ability to protect themselves without any interference from our misguided government.
Thank you again Sir and I wish you a successful career using the God given common sense that it’s obvious you have been granted.
Yours truly,
Walter Hall.
About time thank everyone who helped.
If the lists of gun permit holders hadn’t been publicly released by anti gun nuts, I’d be more likely to trust the government to hold names of permit private.
If people are against freedom, they best work to ensure the government they worship is protecting them. But they don’t.
You are your only defense against the world’s ills.