Residents can apply for concealed carry privilege
Sheriff does not anticipate rush for licenses
Staff reporter
By January 2007, Marion County residents who meet a general criteria can carry concealed weapons.
Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker and his department will administer the licensing for Marion County residents. The law recently was passed but until a state task force and attorney general Phill Kline determines how to execute the law, Becker and other sheriffs throughout the state just have to wait. The law takes effect July 1 but licenses will not be issued until after Jan. 1, 2007.
Kansas joined 46 other states last month by adopting the concealed carry law.
Is there a demand for concealed carry licenses in Marion County?
"I've had one or two inquiries," said Becker, since the law was passed, and does not anticipate a significant impact or rush of people to apply.
When asked if he was concerned for his deputies during traffic stops, Becker explained that currently having a weapon on the seat of a car, for example, is not against the law.
"Concealing the weapon is," Becker said. "I would rather have a licensed, trained carrier of the weapon than not."
According to the Senate bill, a concealed carry license will be known by law enforcement during traffic stops when a record check is made of the person's vehicle tag or driver's license. Licensing will follow the individual from county to county and from state to state with each jurisdiction recognizing the license as being valid.
The basis for the law was to allow individuals to be able to protect themselves, their families, and their properties by providing an "even playing field" with criminals.
"I like the idea of the bad guy not knowing who's armed," Becker said.
Becker's main concern is training for the person carrying the weapon.
"If you are carrying a weapon, you need to be capable of using it so it isn't used against you," he said.
Accidental shootings of others or even themselves weighs heavily on the gun carrier.
There is a tremendous responsibility with carrying a loaded weapon, Becker said.
"I have had my gun out of the holster probably 10 times in my career," he said. Of those 10 times, his finger was on the trigger twice. He recalled the sickening feeling he had when he was in that position and appreciated his training.
"A person needs to understand the ramifications of using a gun that could take a life," he said. "The best safety for your gun is your ability to use your brain."
Becker sums up the responsibility this way: "Once the bullet leaves the barrel, only God can change what happens."
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;
— Satisfactory 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.
