For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2007

For Information Contact:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag 785/296-2302
Rachelle Colombo 785/296-7662
Rep. Gary Hayzlett 785/296-7640
Rep. Candy Ruff 785/296-7647

Topeka - Kansas House of Representatives voted today to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 2528, a bill meant to clarify state statutes allowing concealed carry licenses.

"This legislation’s clear implication is to have uniform concealed carry laws across the state," Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) said. "I am proud of the House’s strong, bipartisan support of second amendment rights of the U.S. Constitution for Kansans."

House Bill 2528:

• Deletes the authority of cities and counties to regulate firearms licenses by zoning measures.

• Repeals the ability of public entities from restricting or prohibiting concealed weapons on public premises.

• Repeals the ability of property owners from restricting or prohibiting concealed weapons.

• Requires posting of signage at the areas that are in law as not allowing concealed weapons on the premises.

• Allows the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to obtain district court and treatment facility records to determine eligibility to purchase and possess firearms under the Act.

• Prohibits the Attorney General from issuing a concealed weapons license if an applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in any jurisdiction.

"The Governor is clearly out of touch with the values of every day Kansans," said Majority Leader Ray Merrick (R-Stilwell). "Despite her multiple attempts to deny Kansans the right to carry, the House has voiced the will of the people and protected 2nd amendment rights for law-abiding Kansans."

House Members voted 98-26 in favor of the override.

"I think this vote reflects House Members’ determination to have consistency in our gun laws and their seriousness to keep law-abiding citizens on the right side of the law," Rep. Candy Ruff (D-Leavenworth) said. "The commitment of concealed carry and the message of this vote is that you may trust our law-abiding citizens of Kansas whether they have a fire arm or not. That is certainly evident in the way this bill was put together."

Rep. Gary Hayzlett (R-Lakin) pointed out the bill also improves the application process.

"It is evident from the overwhelming vote to override the governor’s veto that House Members recognized the need for a bill to clarify the original language of the state’s concealed carry law," Rep. Hayzlett said. "In addition to expounding where a Kansan with a concealed carry license can take his gun, this bill also gives the KBI access to mental health records as well as prohibits the attorney general from issuing a license to someone who has been convicted of domestic violence. These changes strengths the application process and further insures only those who will abide by Kansas laws are issued a license."

House Bill 2528 now goes to the Kansas Senate for its members’ consideration.

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