Kansas House Panel To Vote On Gun Measure

A Kansas House committee is preparing to vote on legislation stripping cities and counties of any power to regulate guns or block the open carrying of firearms.

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee is expected to approve the measure Friday and send it to the full chamber for debate. National and state gun-rights groups are pushing it.

The bill would void existing local gun ordinances throughout Kansas. It would ensure that the open carrying of firearms is allowed statewide and bar cities and counties from regulating gun and ammunition sales.

The measure would also bar counties and cities from using tax revenue to administer gun buyback programs, and prohibit local governments from regulating knives.

Local government groups oppose the bill, saying city and county officials know their communities best.