TOPEKA, Kan. — For nearly two hours Tuesday morning, a House committee listened to testimony from proponents and opponents of HB 2789, a bill that would help implement concealed carry in Kansas schools.
Concealed carry has been legal since 2013, but districts were left to decide whether or not they wanted to adopt the policy. No districts chose to do so because of the higher insurance rates.
HB 2789 would prohibit companies from charging “unfair” premiums to schools with armed teachers and staff.
Rep. Blake Carpenter (R-Derby) originally introduced the bill in a House committee last week.
"It's not if our kids will be killed, it is when will they be killed and what are we doing to prevent it," Carpenter told lawmakers on Tuesday.
The legislation would create a "SAFER schools endorsement" on concealed carry licenses for school staff who undergo specialized training and are approved by the school board to carry weapons on campus.
Seven people testified in person in support of HB 2789. One of those was Joseph Clay, a Wichita teacher, parent and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
"I take it personally when the sanctity and safety of our schools are threatened, and I will not stand idly by and watch my four children go to school each day knowing I have done nothing to ensure their safe return home," Clay said.
Clay added if the legislation does not pass, those actions would "pack the graves of young Kansans in the future."
15 people spoke out against HB 2789, including leaders from both the Shawnee Mission School District and Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.
Both districts discussed their many safety measures already in place. David Smith of KCKPS explained one of their lockdown policies, which consists of teachers ushering students out of the hallway and locking the door. The district worked with law enforcement to develop its plans.
"When first responders come, they would expect to see no one (in the hall), and if they do, I think that would create potential for a significant and tragic accident," Smith said.
Although just 15 people testified, roughly 200 submitted written testimony against the bill. Organizers with Moms Demand Action also lined the committee room.
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During Tuesday's hearing, Rep. Carpenter proposed changes to some of the controversial aspects of the bill. He suggested removing the clause that would find districts negligent in the case of a school shooting if they didn't allow concealed carry. Carpenter also said there was an error in the insurance part of the bill, which currently says companies must cover districts that allow concealed carry. He said insurers shouldn't be forced to provide coverage, but they cannot charge unfair premiums if they do.
If lawmakers on the insurance committee decide to take up the bill, they would have to schedule another hearing on the legislation. Lawmakers said it's unlikely that can come together before the end of the session.
