Bill would give local governments flexibility about guns in public buildings

Both guns-rights advocates and municipal governments are supportive of a bill that would allow local governments to permit concealed guns in public buildings but restrict them in certain areas.

Senate Bill 66, sponsored by Sen. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, tweaks the state law that requires public buildings, such as courthouses, to provide security measures such as guards and metal detectors at entrances if they want to prohibit guns on the premises.

Knox’s bill, which was reviewed by the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs, would change that so it’s not an all-or-nothing option. Courthouses could allow guns in the building and restrict them in certain areas, such as courtrooms. He argued this would give local governments more flexibility.

The bill aims at alleviating local governments from the cost of placing security at each entrance. It has the backing of both the Kansas League of Municipalities and Kansas State Rifle Association.

Eric Smith, the general counsel of the League of Municipalities, joked it was the first time in three years his organization was on the same side as the Rifle Association.

This story was originally published February 5, 2015 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Bill would give local governments flexibility about guns in public buildings."