In great news for Kansas gun owners and Second Amendment supporters, Governor Sam Brownback (R) signed Senate Bill 45, NRA-backed permitless carry legislation, into law today. SB 45 passed in the Kansas Senate on February 26 by a 31 to 7 vote, passed in the Kansas House of Representatives on March 25 by an 85 to 39 vote, and was then concurred on by the Senate on March 25 by a 31 to 8 vote. SB 45 takes effect on July 1st.

SB 45 recognizes Kansans’ freedom to legally carry a concealed firearm without the requirement of acquiring a Kansas concealed carry handgun license (CCHL). SB 45 is a necessary update to concealed carry in Kansas, allowing law-abiding gun owners the ability to better protect themselves and their loved ones. In Kansas, it is already legal to carry a firearm openly, as long as the individual is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. However, under current law, if a firearm becomes covered by a coat or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm for self-protection in her purse, he or she would need to possess a CCHL.

Kansas has now become the fifth state to remove their restriction on concealed carrying a firearm without a license. This law gives Kansans the freedom to choose the best method of carrying for them, based on their attire, gender and/or physical attributes. However, this law also keeps in place the current permitting system so that people who obtain a permit could still enjoy the reciprocity agreements that Kansas has with other states and their NICS exemption when purchasing a new firearm.

Your NRA-ILA would like to thank all legislators who voted in support of this legislation, especially Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce (R-34), who authored SB 45, and Representative Travis Couture-Lovelady (R-110), who carried the legislation in the House of Representatives. NRA also thanks members who contacted their legislators on behalf of this bill, as passage would not have been possible without your active support.

Please take the time to contact Governor Brownback and thank him for signing SB 45 into law.