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Minutes for HB2058 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Allowing reciprocity to recognize out-of-state licenses to carry a concealed handgun.
Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 27, 2021
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2058. Matt Sterling, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview on the bill (Attachment 4). Questions were asked by Representatives Hoye and Arnberger. Chairperson Barker requested information relating to the standards in other states from the Legislative Research Department. Chairperson Barker stated that this bill is very similar to one they had last year.
Chairperson Barker recognized Attorney General Derek Schmidt as a proponent to HB2058 (Attachment 5). General Schmidt stated that this bill would restore language in the Personal and Family Protection Act which was inadvertently stricken in 2015 when the Legislature adopted the current law, allowing concealed carry without a license. Questions were asked by Representatives Highberger, Miller, and Clayton.
Jason Watkins was recognized by Chairperson Barker as a proponent on the bill (Attachment 6). This bill provides that a valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another jurisdiction would be recognized in Kansas. It would also allow out-of-state individuals ages 18, 19, and 20 to carry concealed firearms provided they have a license or permit from another jurisdiction that is recognized by the state of Kansas. The Kansas State Rifle Association is, however, concerned that the bill creates inequity between out-of-state citizens and in-state citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 and would urge the Committee to amend the bill with language that would allow Kansans ages 18, 19, and 20 to acquire a concealed carry permit and lawfully carry concealed firearms.
There were no further proponents to the bill. Questions were asked by Representatives Clayton and Penn.
Chairperson Barker opened the opponent portion of the hearing on HB2058.
Chairperson Barker recognized Rabbi Moti Rieber, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), as an opponent to the bill (Attachment 7). KIFA believes that conceal reciprocity means that people who might not be eligible to conceal carry in Kansas will be able to as long as they are licensed in another state. That would include teenagers and those convicted of stalking and other violent misdemeanors, who are allowed to carry loaded handguns in some other states but would not be under current Kansas law.
Crystal Hays testified as an opponent to HB2058 (Attachment 8). Ms. Hays stated that HB2058 would automatically allow individuals with permits from other states to carry hidden and loaded firearms in Kansas, and that would contribute to the dangers to the community.
Chairperson Barker recognized Amanda Winch as an opponent (Attachment 9). Ms. Winch stated that this is a dangerous piece of legislation which would further roll back gun laws in Kansas and threaten the integrity of Kansas' concealed carry permit.
Chairperson Barker recognized Mary Snipes as an opponent to HB2058 (Attachment 10). Ms. Snipes shared about losing her son to gun violence and urged the Committee to vote against this bill.
Chairperson Barker noted that there is written opponent testimony from Leanna Barclay (Attachment 11); Karin Barrett (Attachment 12); LaTonya Boyd (Attachment 13); Lene Brooks (Attachment 14); Colleen Cunningham (Attachment 15); Carl Reed (Attachment 16); and Melissa Reichmeier (Attachment 17).
There being no further opponents and no neutrals, Chairperson Barker closed the hearing on HB2058.
