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KANSAN.COM
KBOR votes to change KU's weapons policy
CHANDLER BOESE
@Chandler_Boese
TOPEKA - The Board of Regents voted May 17 to take out a provision of the University's concealed carry policy that would have required gun carriers to keep bags containing their weapons in their possession at all times.
The University's policy, which will go into effect on July 1 in conjunction with a state law allowing concealed carry on campus, was originally passed last November and December with no amendments. The main function of the policy is to bring rules on college campuses in line with that of the state's law, which mandates that anyone over 21 years of age be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in any public building without security measures.
Photo illustration/KANSAN
concealed carry would deter gun owners from bringing their weapons to campus. However, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, who testified at the May meeting, disagreed.
At a March hearing in the state legislature, legislators and others expressed concerns that the University's policy on
"I think it a very necessary change and I think it brings a lot of consistency to the policies."
Shane Bangerter Regent
"This is not a pretext to prevent gun-carrying, but rather one to ensure safety for our community," she said during the meeting.
In their final vote, after seeing the amended policy and discussing, the Regents voted 5-3 to change the policy.
The amended policy says that the responsibilities of carrying a gun on campus 'shall
include the obligation at all times to keep it secure and concealed from view when not in use for purposes provided by law." Previously, it had included language about keeping the weapon or bag containing the weapon on one's person.
During the discussion, the Regents discussed the University's compliance with the law and the need for consistency among all six Kansas universities.
"I think it a very necessary change and I think it brings a lot of consistency to the policies, so that what's allowed on one campus will be very similar to what's allowed on another for a person who wishes to carry," said Regent Shane Bangter.
"Our job as a board is to put guidelines to
Regent Dennis Mullin, who voted against the amended policy, said, since the University's original policy was compliant with the law, there was no reason to change it.
our universities and the law and to give them the freedom to come up with their plan, rather than putting one unified plan on the board." Mullin said.
Gray-Little said after the meeting that she still stands by the original
policy and is disappointed by the Regents' decision.
"Obviously, they're exercising what they see as their right and responsibility to approve or disapprove these policies," Gray-Little said. "We disagree that what
we wrote was inconsistent with state law, we think it's entirely consistent with state law."
The law allowed concealed carry on campus and the policy, as amended, will take effect July 1.
Legislature votes to block guns from KUMC, health facilities
ASSOCIATED
PRESS
The House approved the measure on a 91-33
Kansas legislators have given final approval to a bill aimed at keeping concealed guns out of state hospitals and other public health facilities.
A 2013 law requires public health facilities to allow concealed guns into their buildings starting in July unless the build-
vote Thursday, June 7 just hours after the Senate passed it on a 24-16 vote. The measure will now go to Gov. Sam Brownback.
ings have security such as metal detectors or guards.
The bill would grant a permanent exemption to state hospitals, other public hospitals, mental health centers, some nursing homes and the University of Kansas Medical Center.
The Medical Center has been fighting to exempt its facility for months, saying they would even put forth the money for adequate security measures if they did not get the extended exemption.
Brownback is a strong gun-rights supporter and
legislators weren't sure whether he would sign or veto the measure.
The same law that would have allowed concealed weapons in health care facilities will also allow concealed weapons on college campuses starting July 1 unless the legislature passes another law. An amendment exempting college campuses was proposed to be added to the bill passed Thursday during the Senate debate, but the vote failed.
Chandler Boese contributed to this report.