Yesterday, House Bill 2578 passed unanimously in the Kansas Senate. It is now returning to the Kansas House of Representatives, where it will likely face a conference committee. HB 2578, authored by state Representative Richard Carlson (R-61) and sponsored by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, would require a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) to sign off on an application to transfer an item regulated by the National Firearms Act, including short barreled rifles/shotguns and suppressors, within fifteen days, as long as the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the item.
Under current law, a CLEO may refuse to sign off for any reason, including their own personal feelings toward NFA-related items, which has created issues for law-abiding citizens. HB 2578 would bring the CLEO signoff process in line with the standard that sheriffs in Kansas are already using when signing off on a concealed carry permit. By removing any possibility of personal bias, which may reside behind many CLEO's refusing to sign off, and creating a statewide standard, HB 2578 protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners across the Sunflower State.
The NRA thanks Kansas Senators for supporting this important pro-gun legislation. Please thank your state Senator for voting for HB 2578. Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.