SB 506 increases penalties for second or subsequent convictions involving criminal weapon use, making it a more serious felony (severity level 8) for offenses like possessing short-barreled firearms as a minor. It modifies penalties for convicted felons who possess weapons, raising the severity of these offenses, and extends the length of the weapon possession ban for certain felons. The bill amends Kansas statutes K.S.A. 21-6301 (defining criminal weapon use) and 21-6304 (penalties for weapon possession by felons). It directly affects individuals with prior convictions for weapon-related crimes or those convicted of specific felonies, imposing harsher consequences for repeat violations.
SB 503 would remove Kansas state criminal penalties for possessing firearm suppressors (devices that reduce gunfire noise) and for having firearms with specific barrel lengths. Currently, Kansas law makes it a felony to possess suppressors (under K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(4)) and prohibits shotguns with barrels under 18 inches or firearms with barrels under 12 inches (under K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(5) and (a)(14)). The bill amends these sections to eliminate those criminal prohibitions, meaning possession would no longer be a state-level crime. This change would directly affect firearm owners who currently face criminal charges for these items under Kansas law, though federal regulations (like NFA registration) would still apply. The bill does not alter federal law or create new firearm rights.
HB 2778 removes a specific exception in Kansas law that previously allowed people over 21 or holding a provisional handgun license to carry concealed handguns on school property, at school grounds, or during school-sponsored events. This change eliminates a loophole, making concealed firearm possession on school grounds illegal for most adults under the state's criminal weapons statute. The bill amends K.S.A. 21-6301 by deleting subsection (a)(11), which had permitted this exception. It directly affects licensed gun owners who previously could legally carry concealed weapons at schools without violating state law.
HB 2167 requires gun and stun gun owners in Kansas to store weapons in locked containers or with safety locks, preventing access by anyone under 18. It creates a misdemeanor penalty for basic violations (like storing unlocked firearms) and a felony for storing large-capacity firearms (over 10 rounds) where minors can access them. The law specifically targets households with children, making it illegal to leave rifles, shotguns, or machine guns accessible to minors, with exceptions for pre-1899 antique firearms. Violations could be used as evidence of reckless conduct in injury or death cases involving minors. The bill does not apply to replica antique weapons or firearms stored under the owner’s direct control.
HB 2324 increases criminal penalties for possessing or refusing to surrender a firearm on school property or grounds in Kansas. It directly affects individuals (excluding law enforcement officers) who bring firearms to school buildings, grounds, or school-sponsored activities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill adds specific provisions to existing law, making it a crime to either possess a firearm in these areas or refuse to immediately surrender one when requested by school staff or police. Penalties apply regardless of whether the person knew they were on school property or had reason to know the firearm was present. This bill modifies K.S.A. 21-6301 to strengthen restrictions on firearms in school settings.
SB 133 creates a new crime in Kansas for "unlawful storage of a firearm," defined as storing a firearm unsecured (without a trigger lock, locked container, or other reasonable secure location) when a minor accesses it, uses it to cause injury, or causes death. It directly affects gun owners who store firearms in unsecured locations where minors could access them. Penalties range from a class C misdemeanor for minor access alone to a severity level 9 felony for causing bodily harm and a severity level 5 felony for causing death or great bodily harm. The law includes exemptions, such as if the firearm was inoperable, in the owner’s immediate control, or used by a minor in lawful self-defense.
HB 2198 creates a new court order called a "gun violence restraining order" that allows judges to prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms if they pose a significant risk of harming themselves or others. This order can be requested by specific people, including current or former spouses, family members, individuals in a dating relationship, or those living in the same household, who must provide evidence of the risk. Courts must find "reasonable cause" to believe the person is a threat - considering past violence, threats, or other relevant facts - before issuing the order. The order prevents the restrained individual from acquiring or possessing firearms and may be issued without notifying them if immediate action is needed to prevent harm.
HB 2329 increases the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders who commit repeat offenses or use a firearm during a crime, raising criminal penalties for these specific situations. The bill expands placement options by requiring more juveniles to be housed in specialized youth residential facilities (non-foster home beds) rather than foster care, with the secretary of corrections responsible for covering these costs. It authorizes the secretary to use funds from the state's evidence-based programs account to contract for these facility beds, ensuring cost coverage without requiring new legislative appropriations.
HB 2325 allows judges in Kansas to commit juvenile offenders to detention for technical violations of probation (such as missing appointments), which were previously excluded from detention. It increases the maximum total time a juvenile can be held in detention (cumulative detention limit) and raises criminal penalties for juveniles who use a firearm during an offense or have prior offenses. The bill amends specific sections of Kansas's juvenile justice code to implement these changes, directly affecting juvenile offenders in the state who face probation violations or firearm-related crimes. These provisions adjust sentencing and supervision practices under the revised juvenile justice framework.
