Yesterday, the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee passed Senate Bill 447 by voice vote, sending it to the Senate floor. If passed and enacted into law, SB 447 would expand Kansas’ firearms preemption provisions to open carry and prohibit municipalities from implementing local ordinances relating to the transportation of firearms. Whether you choose to carry concealed, open carry or carry a knife for self-defense, SB 447 would eliminate the complex patchwork of gun laws that arise from local regulations.
Along with addressing firearms preemption issues, SB 447 would ban the use of taxpayer funds for gun “buyback" programs. These programs are a waste of taxpayer dollars and have no proven impact on crime reduction. Additionally, this legislation would prohibit seized firearms not used in the commission of a felony from being destroyed by law enforcement agencies. These firearms, so long as they are in operable condition, would either be sold to a licensed dealer (FFL) or donated to hunter education programs. SB 447 would also mandate that if a firearm has been seized by law enforcement and the owner is acquitted of the charges or the charges are dropped, the firearm must be returned to the owner within thirty days.
This comprehensive legislation also addresses permit confidentiality by prohibiting county, city or municipal employers from maintaining a database of employee permit holders.
Please contact your state Senator today and respectfully urge him or her to support SB 447 with no amendments. To identify your state Senator, please click here.
Your NRA fully supports these improvements to gun laws in the Sunflower State and will continue to keep you updated as SB 447 progresses during the 2014 legislative session. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your e-mail inbox for further updates.