Kansas lawmakers approve bill barring city, county gun restrictions; NRA sees plan as ‘model’

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas legislators have given final approval to a bill nullifying city and county gun restrictions and ensuring that it’s legal across the state to openly carry firearms.

The House approved the measure Saturday a day after the Senate passed the bill. It’s seen by the National Rifle Association, the leading gun rights lobbying group, as a model for stripping local officials of their gun-regulating power.

The measure goes next to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. He’s a strong supporter of gun rights.

The bill would sweep local restrictions on openly carrying firearms away, though cities and counties could prevent people from doing so in public buildings.

The measure also would prevent cities and counties from enacting restrictions on firearm sales or how guns are stored and transported.