Kansas Gov. To Sign Constitutional Carry Bill Into Law

Kansas is set to become the fifth state in the nation to legally allow its citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.

According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, Gov. Sam Brownback will sign Senate Bill 45 into law at a news conference at the State Capitol this afternoon. Representatives of the National Rifle Association and National Association for Gun Rights are expected to attend.

SB 45, the so-called “constitutional carry” bill, calls for an end to the decade-old training and licensing requirement for Kansans to practice concealed carry. The bill passed the House by a vote of 85-39 and made it through the Senate on a 31-8 vote.

As the Associated Press reports, the state will continue to issue permits for those want to carry in other states where the Kansas permit is recognized. Those seeking to obtain a concealed carry permit must undergo eight hours of gun training.

Rep. Steve Brunk, R-Wichita, praised the new law as a leap forward for gun rights in the Sunflower state.

“Unfortunately,” Brunk said, “we have become conditioned to accept licensing, fees, mandatory classes and other such restrictions. Government must trust law-abiding and responsible citizens.”

Kansas joins Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming as a constitutional carry state.