(Syndicated to Kansas newspapers Aug. 4, 2014)
A month has passed since the top management committee of the Kansas Legislature—the Legislative Coordinating Council—decided that it is OK to allow concealed carry of guns into the Statehouse.
So far, just four visitors with concealed-carry licenses have brought their guns into the Capitol. And, so far, nothing untoward has happened. That’s a good thing.
But this is summertime, and we Statehouse habitués are wondering just what the fall and next legislative session will bring.
The LCC based its decision—or more accurately, its decision not to make a decision on concealed carry in the Statehouse—on the basis that the building has great security. Visitors have to go through metal detectors; anyone carrying a concealed gun would set off alarm buzzers, and they would either have to prove that they are licensed to carry that concealed gun or they don’t get into the building.