TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today thanked members of the Kansas House of Representatives for giving final passage to House Bill 2145, a bill that would close gaps in Kansas law that give domestic abusers easy access to guns. The bill will now move to the governor’s desk after receiving strong bipartisan support in both chambers.
Most states have laws that prohibit people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes, and abusers subject to active protection orders, from having guns. Kansas currently has neither. House Bill 2145 would prohibit gun possession by convicted domestic abusers and by domestic abusers who are subject to active protection orders.
The Kansas House and Senate both passed versions of HB 2145 with unanimous votes this session. The Senate’s vote came the day after more than a hundred Moms Demand Action volunteers and other gun violence prevention advocates rallied outside the State Capitol and urged the Senate to pass HB 2145.
STATEMENT FROM JO ELLA HOYE, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH KANSAS MOMS DEMAND ACTION:
“Once again, Kansas lawmakers from both parties have made clear they recognize how critical it is to close dangerous gaps in our laws that make it easy for abusers to access guns. Thanks to their actions and the tireless work of gun violence survivors, our law enforcement leaders and the other concerned Kansans who have spoken out about the need for this public safety measure, the governor now has a chance to make this state a safer one for women and families.”