A Kansas bill to take away the power of cities and counties to regulate firearms is once again on the move in the state’s legislature, according to the Associated Press.
The first version of the bill was too hot for even the pro gun-rights Republican majority in the Kansas House. After stalling last month, the measure was rewritten by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee and re-approved on Wednesday, setting it up for a debate in the full House as soon as next week. The bill was changed to take out provisions allowing gun owners to carry loaded guns in their cars and allowing parents to give their children permission to carry guns.
According to the Associated Press, the original bill had been opposed by local officials and law enforcement groups. The compromise bill would still prevent cities, counties, and townships from regulating guns, and would even void existing gun regulations. As a bonus, local governments also couldn’t force employees to disclose that they have concealed carry permits.
The bills backers told the Associated Press that the bill’s first priority was making gun laws the same across the state. Local officials who still oppose the updated proposal counter that they are the best judges of local gun measures.
“Is it better now than it was? Yeah,” Eric Smith, a lobbyist for the League of Kansas Municipalities, told the Associated Press. “It’s still sausage.”
