First concealed carry class offered in Marion
Staff reporter
The first class completed the first step Saturday in being able to carry a concealed weapon.
Taught by Cindy Ragland of rural Marion, a Kansas certified instructor with guest instructor Glen Blevins of Rayville, Mo., the eight-hour class is a requirement prior to applying for a concealed weapon license.
"Attendees are taught basic handgun safety, we review state statutes, and practice marksmanship," Ragland said.
The purpose of the class is for participants to be able to handle a handgun in a safe manner as mandated by the state.
"Safe and competent gun owners are responsible gun owners," Blevins said.
Ragland, who owns Flint Hills Firearms and Retrievers, also teaches hunter safety classes.
"This is totally different from those classes," Ragland said.
Hunter safety classes primarily are for first-time or younger hunters who do not have a lot of experience handling a firearm.
"It's more of an introduction to hunting," Ragland said. "The concealed carry instruction class is geared to people who have firearms knowledge and want to learn self-protection."
Blevins is a certified instructor in Missouri and has been teaching classes for two years, when Missouri adopted a concealed carry law similar to Kansas.
Time and some financial resources are required with this course so only those serious about applying for a license would be interested in participating.
And there's no guarantee that all class participants will apply for a license.
"People may attend a class and find out they don't want the responsibility and liability of carrying a concealed weapon," Blevins said.
Ragland is the only certified instructor in the county. She prefers a small class because she is able to provide better, more personalized instruction.
"Basically, the concealed carry law allows law abiding citizens to have a concealed weapon while going from home to work or other destinations," Ragland said.
The next step for Saturday's attendees is to apply at Marion County Sheriff's Office for a license to carry a concealed weapon. An extensive background check will be conducted by Kansas Bureau of Investigation before any license is issued.
Licenses may be issued after Jan. 1, 2007.
Criteria for the license
The attorney general can issue a license to residents who meet the following conditions:
— A resident of the county where application is made and Kansas resident for six months or longer;
— 21 years of age or older;
— Does not suffer from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a weapon;
— Has never been convicted of a felony or placed on diversion in this or any other jurisdiction;
— Has not been a mentally ill person or involuntary patient, committed for abuse of a controlled substance, committed for alcohol abuse, or convicted of domestic abuse in the past five years;
— Desires a legal means to carry a concealed weapon for lawful self-defense;
— Satisfactorily completed a weapons safety and training course approved by the attorney general's office;
— Has not been adjudged a disabled person;
— Has not been dishonorably discharged from military service;
— Is a U.S. citizen;
— Is not subject to a restraining order issued under the protection from abuse act; and
— Is not in contempt of court in a child support proceeding.
How to apply
The sheriff will collect an application fee that can be no more than $150. The applicant will be fingerprinted with the prints forwarded to the attorney general's office for a criminal history records check.
The sheriff also will forward a copy of the application and $110 of the original license fee, or $50 for renewal, to the attorney general. The cost of taking fingerprints can be included in the portion of the fee retained by the sheriff. All funds retained by the sheriff's department will be deposited in the county's general fund and used for the sheriff's office.
Within 180 days, the license will be issued or denied. The license will be valid for one year.
No guns allowed
No license issued shall authorize individuals to carry a concealed weapon into the following places:
— Police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
— Detention facility, prison, or jail;
— Courthouse;
— Courtroom;
— Polling place on the day an election is held;
— Meeting of the governing body of a county, city, or other political or taxing subdivision of the state;
— On state fairgrounds;
— State office building;
— Athletic event not related to or involving firearms;
— Professional athletic event;
— Portion of a drinking establishment;
— Elementary or secondary school building or structure used for student instruction or attendance;
— Community college, college, or university facility;
— Place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal or state law;
— Child exchange and visitation center;
— Community mental health center;
— City hall;
— Public library;
— Day-care home or group day-care home; and
— Church or temple.
