KS: Schools must post gun sign

[Guest Patriot Games]

http://blogs.cjonline.com/index.php?entry=3975

 

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Schools must post gun sign

 

No. 2 pencils, spiral notebooks, markers, Smith & Wesson snub-nose, .38

hollow-points.

 

That's not an actual school supplies list, obviously, but there seems to be

some confusion on how the state's concealed carry law applies to schools.

 

If you thought schools were among the places where permit holders couldn't

legally carry guns, you're only partially correct.

 

The statute does ban concealed carry in schools but only in those that post

the familiar no guns sign at entrances.

To some, this situation makes no sense.

 

"We were surprised and in disbelief when we found out about this,'' said

Rick Gammill, director of special operations for the Lawrence school

district. "Anybody with common sense isn't going to carry a gun into a

school.''

 

The signage provision for schools wasn't part of the original concealed

carry bill, which became law in 2006, but lawmakers added it this year as

part of a package of amendments to the law.

 

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' vetoed the changes, but the Legislature overrode the

veto.

 

Gammill said Lawrence district officials were unaware of the provision until

a staff member saw it mentioned in an employment law newsletter.

 

"This flew under the radar,'' he said. "I don't think anybody knows about

it.''

 

Karla Denny, director of communications for the Kansas State Board of

Education, said state officials were trying to spread word about the

provision.

 

So expect to see more gun signs popping up this fall, and maybe not just on

school buildings.

 

According to the newsletter that brought the issue to the attention of the

Lawrence district, the signage provision applies to other places where

concealed carry is not authorized - including libraries, churches and bars.