Topeka ? Signs – their color, their size and what they would say – appear to be the biggest issue as the state considers new regulations to accompany a law permitting Kansans to carry concealed guns.

The attorney general’s office had a hearing Tuesday on proposed regulations spelling out such things as the qualifications for people who teach weapons safety courses, the content of those courses and that someone must hit the target 18 of 25 times to obtain a permit to carry a concealed gun.

Signs are covered by the proposed regulations because the law, enacted earlier this year, permits businesses to ban hidden guns on their premises, but it requires them to post their policy so gun owners know of it. The attorney general’s office hopes to have regulations in place by early November.

The first proposed regulation advanced by the attorney general’s office would have required a yellow sign, at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, with black letters and a picture of a gun on it. Much of the feedback to it was negative, from business groups worried about a lack of flexibility and from people who thought the prototype was ugly.

“Folks were not happy – businesses like banks and so forth – weren’t happy with the yellow,” said Deputy Atty. Gen. Julene Miller, who presided over Tuesday’s hearings. “We were trying to come up with something that would be obvious to a person carrying a concealed weapon. Hopefully, they could see it before they even reached the door.”

During the hearing, Miller unveiled a new, simpler design, a black silhouette of a gun on a white background, surrounded by a red circle, with a red slash through it – the concealed carry equivalent of internationally known signs for “No.”

The new design also mandates no words, whereas the first prototype would have required “Concealed carry of handguns prohibited on premises” in letters at least a half-inch in size.

Business groups’ representatives applauded the change, saying the simpler sign would be easier to understand – even for people who don’t speak English. They also said the new design would fit better with their businesses.

“If you have a crowded window, a yellow sign, it might not stand out,” said Doug Wareham, of the Kansas Bankers Assn.

But Lawrence resident Richard Dyer said the words should remain – and include “lawful” before “concealed carry.” That, he said, would be truth in advertising, letting people know that they couldn’t protect themselves from criminals in a certain business.

“Make sure he knows and everybody else knows that he is restricting the law-abiding, peaceful citizens,” said Dyer, who hasn’t decided whether he’ll seek a permit. “The plain sign with no verbiage, somebody might say, ‘Well, that will keep a criminal out.’ No it won’t.”