Voice Of Post

Brownback guns permit-free concealed carry, Folks in Kansas are about to arm up. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday signed a new law into the books – residents can soon tote around concealed carry firearms, permit free – and without any training. Flanked by Republican lawmakers and reps from the National Rifle Association and Kansas State Rifle Association, Brownback put pen to paper and called it a victory for the U.S. Constitution.

The new bipartisan measure was passed with strong support from both chambers of the Republican-controlled Kansas legislature. The Senate voted 31-8 and the House 85-39 to approve the bill, which is effective as of July 1.

Writes the Kansas City Star: “The new law, which kicks in July 1, makes Kansas the sixth state to allow ‘Constitutional Carry.’ It will allow Kansans 21 and older to carry concealed firearms regardless of whether they have obtained a permit.” The Topeka Capital-Journal states that of-age Kansans can now legally possess a firearm and “be able to carry concealed within the state’s borders without completing an eight-hour training class, passing a background check or paying the require licensing fee.”

While Kansas will not mandate firearm training under the newly passed Senate Bill 45, any of the 36 states that recognize Kansas permits will still require the mandatory training under their individual state guidelines.

Although Brownback urged Kansans to take advantage of the soon-to-be voluntary training, he said a law requiring a citizen to do so is unconstitutional. “We’re saying that if you want to do that in this state, then you don’t have to get the permission slip from the government,” Brownback said. “It is a constitutional right, and we’re removing a barrier to that right.”