TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today issued the following response after the Kansas House of Representatives passed two bills that would change state public safety laws related to guns.
One of the two bills, House Bill 2145, passed with a 120-0 vote, would address gaps in Kansas law that give domestic abusers easy access to guns. Most states have laws that prohibit people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from having guns, and most states also have laws that automatically prohibit domestic abusers subject to 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 currently subject to protection orders.
In a separate vote Friday, the Kansas House also passed HB 2042, a dangerous bill that would require Kansas to recognize concealed carry permits from other states and allow 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds and 20-year olds in Kansas to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. Lawmakers passed the legislation with an amendment included that would enable public colleges and universities to prevent people from carrying hidden, loaded handguns on campus without a permit.
STATEMENT FROM JO ELLA HOYE, VOLUNTEER WITH THE KANSAS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Common sense, research and our Kansas law enforcement community all tell us that guns and domestic abusers are a deadly combination. Gaps in our laws make it far too easy for abusers to get their hands on a gun, but today the Kansas House took a major step toward closing these deadly loopholes and protecting families across the state. We hope the Kansas Senate and Gov. Colyer will act quickly, too, to enact this life-saving legislation.
The Kansas House also passed an important provision today that would help protect our college and university campuses from gun violence. Unfortunately, they combined this provision with language that would weaken Kansas’ gun laws by allowing 18-year-olds, 19-year-old and 20-year-olds to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. Lawmakers should continue to look for ways to help keep our students, educators, and campus staff safe without compromising other core public safety laws.”