By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
On July 1, a new Kansas law nullifies any local gun laws and makes it legal across the state to carry guns in most public buildings.
Legislators supporting the bill said their reasoning is to ensure all Kansas counties have uniform gun laws, which will prevent confusion for those traveling across the state.
However, businesses, college campuses and organizations still have the right to ban both concealed and unconcealed guns if they post specific signs on their premises.
According to Sheriff Ed Harbin and Police Chief Don Scheibler, the law will not have much effect on Ellis County as there are no county or city gun restrictions on concealed and open carry guns.
However, there is the possibility of someone not following the law.
“We are not really worried about the people who follow the law. It is the people who should not have guns for whatever reason,” Harbin said. “That is where some issues have come in.”
Convicted felons, for instance, are not allowed to be in possession of firearms.
Harbin asked gun owners to use “good sense.”
“If you saw someone get out of a car and take a gun and go into a house … very minimal concern in that, unless the neighbors know that person is not supposed to be there, versus, if you saw someone a block from school walking toward the school with a gun — that is going to be a different situation,” Harbin said. “That person might just be walking by the school, but it puts everybody on alarm.”
Chief of Police Don Scheibler agreed.
“I think it important people remember to just be responsible gun owners for their role in the community, and make sure you are not walking down the street scaring people,” Scheibler said. “We have examples of people with automatic rifles walking near the high school and, in hindsight, not good judgment on their part.”
The new law also holds the provision it is illegal to carry a loaded gun while drunk or under the influence of drugs.
“It is one thing to be a gun owner, but more important, to be a responsible gun owner,” Scheibler added.
The Kansas Attorney General’s office has has more details on the law and signage requirements HERE.
On Friday, Attorney General Derek Schmidt offered his proposals for open-carry signage.