OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The City of Overland Park passed it’s new open-carry gun ordinance just a little over a month ago – now, there is already talk about amending it to make it as strict as Kansas state law governing concealed weapons.
On Wednesday night, residents spoke out over the controversial residents, as some questioned whether the city had the authority to add more regulations to the ordinance, while others say that the ordinance may lead to profiling – while others said that stricter regulations weren’t necessary.
The proposed changes to the ordinance would bring it in line with a 2011 opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s office, which said that Overland Park’s gun ordinance must meet the exact same criteria as those wanting to carry a concealed weapon elsewhere in the state of Kansas.
Those regulations are that to carry a concealed weapon, those wishing to do so would have to be 21, not a fugitive from the law, they would be subject to background checks and would have to pass an 8-hour gun safety training class.
Earl McIntosh of the Kansas Libertarian Party is against the newer, more restrictive amendments.
“Not only is what you’re doing against state law its not based on anything facutal,” said McIntosh.
Others, like Overland Park resident Edward Rowe, said that the restrictions didn’t go far enough.
“Football games, traffic jams, political rallies, a party where there’s lots of drinking. I think we need more resstrictions, not fewer,” said Rowe.
