Brownback waiting to comment on concealed carry on campus proposal

Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday declined to weigh in on a proposal that would allow concealed carry license holders to bring their guns on campuses and other public buildings.

During a news conference, Brownback said he hadn’t looked into the bill in-depth. Brownback also noted that such a proposal wasn’t included in his agenda outlined last month in his State of the State address.

Under House Bill 2353, people who are licensed to carry a concealed gun would be allowed to bring a weapon into a state or city facility unless the building had adequate security measures, such as electronic screening equipment and guards, to ensure that no weapons could be brought in.

But representatives of colleges, cities and counties and other groups have decried the legislation, saying it would be cost prohibitive to have security systems at all entrances. That means concealed carry would have to be allowed, they said.

The bill, by Rep. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, has been approved by a House committee and will next go to the full House.