By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs committee voted overwhelmingly last week to advance legislation allowing Kansans to legally carry any lawfully obtained firearm without training or a permit. The measure, Senate Bill 45, was sent from the House Federal and State Affairs Committee to the full House.

110th Dist. Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, R-Palco, is vice-chairman of the committee.

In Hays Saturday morning, Couture-Lovelady said, “After nine years (of conceal carry with a permit), I think Kansans have earned the right to carry concealed without asking their government. I think if this passes, I don’t think you’ll see any noticeable difference in gun violence — in fact, it may even go down.”

Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, chairs the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. He related an incident that occurred during testimony before his committee.

“We’re allowed to conceal carry in the Capitol, and I don’t even know who they are.

…Just talking about guns really upsets my ranking minority member of the committee (Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita.) A gal who lost her husband was testifying before my committee the other day. She patted her side and said ‘I’ve got my conceal carry on.’ (Faust-Goudeau) dodged over, like ‘Don’t hit me!’

“It’s unfortunate. I hate to see the fear of a gun like that but you know, we also have a (constitutional) right to protect ourselves.”

The permitting process, run through the Attorney General’s office, involves eight hours of training with a certified concealed carry instructor.

If approved by the House and signed by the governor, starting July 1 any Kansan older than 21 would be able to carry concealed handguns or rifles in public places.

Permits would still be required being able to carry concealed in reciprocating states.