By Amelia Arvesen
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — It is a constitutional right for people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, urged gun right activists Thursday when they testified in a hearing on Senate Bill 45 before legislators.

Sen. Majority Leader Terry Bruce (R-Hutchinson) the chief sponsor among 25 co-sponsors of 40 Senators, said the bill upholds the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

“There truly is not a reason why you need the government’s permission to protect you or defend your family,” Bruce said.

Legislators decided last year to allow citizens to carry an open or unconcealed firearm without a permit. Bruce said passing the bill would give Kansans the freedom to carry a handgun under their clothing or in their purse if they choose.

Sen. Tom Holland (D-Baldwin City) a gun rights supporter, and David Nichols, a member of the NRA, expressed concerns with the removal of formal training administered through the current conceal-and-carry permit system.

“I don’t relish the idea of someone carrying a concealed handgun for self defense, that has as much potential of inflicting deadly force on an innocent bystander as the assailant does,” Nichols said.

John Commerford, a state liaison with the National Rifle Association, said interest in education would increase, and access to training programs in Kansas wouldn’t change.

“We try to do our best to get the word out and make access as easy as possible for people so they can acquire training if they feel they need it,” Commerford said.

Since 2007, Kansas has issued permits for concealed carry. Permits cost $132.50 and a renewal application is $25.There are approximately 75,1000 permit holders in Kansas, said Joe Neville, political director for the National Association for Gun Rights.

Bill supporters also addressed concerns of increased criminal activity. Patricia Stoneking, president of the Kansas State Rifle Association, said the government should trust citizens unless they’ve provided a reason not to be trusted.

“Every law abiding citizen has a right and there’s no prohibitive law of any kind that you can ever pass that is going to prevent a criminal from doing something criminal,” Stoneking said.

Open carry and concealed carry is legal in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

Members of the Senate’s Federal and State Affairs Committee will deliberate the bill before it moves to the Senate floor.

Amelia Arvesen is a University of Kansas senior from San Ramon, Calif., majoring in journalism.