Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prevent local governments from barring openly carried firearms.
The Libertarian Party of Kansas has sued the communities that bar open carry, saying their ordinances violate state law, but lawmakers are also looking at the issue. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee held a hearing on the bill Thursday.
Currently, some communities ban open carry, but the bill before the committee would throw out those ordinances.
Allan Rothlisberg, a Republican from Grandview Plaza, says the Second Amendment protects open carry.
“I’m looking at the phrase, "shall not be infringed," he said. "That’s pretty clear cut. "
Mike Taylor represents the Wyandotte County and Kansas City Unified Government, which bars open carry, and he says they want to keep it that way.
“The ability for somebody to strap a gun on their hip and walk to the Legends, or walk around the streets of our city, we don’t think in our city –given the urban nature– that’s such a great idea," he said.
The committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Friday.