Panel rewrites gun bill to mention churches

? With supporters trying to build veto-proof support for a bill allowing Kansans to carry concealed guns, a House committee rewrote it Wednesday so hidden weapons still wouldn’t be allowed in libraries, churches and temples.

The Federal and State Affairs Committee endorsed the revised bill on a voice vote, sending it to the House, where its passage also is expected. Senators approved the bill last month but would have to consider the House committee’s changes.

Some changes lengthened the list of places where a person couldn’t carry a concealed gun despite having a state-issued permit. Senators’ list included courthouses, jails, prisons, schools, state office buildings and mental health centers – but not libraries or places of worship.

Supporters, led in the House by Rep. L. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, believed dealing with those concerns could persuade a few more legislators to vote for the measure. Ruff offered a series of amendments Wednesday.

The issue for supporters is whether they can override a possible veto by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who rejected similar legislation in 2004.