75-7c17. Legislative findings regarding uniform standards for licensing and regulation; certain local ordinances and resolutions inapplicable; limitations on authority of attorney general; liberal construction of act. (a) The legislature finds as a matter of public policy and fact that it is necessary to provide statewide uniform standards for issuing licenses to carry concealed handguns for self-defense and finds it necessary to occupy the field of regulation of the bearing of concealed handguns for self-defense to ensure that no honest, law-abiding person who qualifies under the provisions of this act is subjectively or arbitrarily denied the person's rights. No city, county or other political subdivision of this state shall regulate, restrict or prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns by individuals except as provided in K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 21-6301, 21-6302, 21-6304, 21-6309, 75-7c10 or 75-7c20, and amendments thereto, or K.S.A. 21-4218(f), prior to its repeal. Any existing or future law, ordinance, rule, regulation or resolution enacted by any city, county or other political subdivision of this state that regulates, restricts or prohibits the carrying of concealed handguns by individuals except as provided in K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 21-6301, 21-6302, 21-6304, 21-6309, 75-7c10 or 75-7c20, and amendments thereto, or K.S.A. 21-4218(f), prior to its repeal, shall be null and void.

(b) Prosecution of any person under the personal and family protection act, and amendments thereto, shall be done through the district court.

(c) The legislature does not delegate to the attorney general the authority to regulate or restrict the issuing of licenses provided for in this act, beyond those provisions of this act pertaining to licensing and training. Subjective or arbitrary actions or rules and regulations which encumber the issuing process by placing burdens on the applicant beyond those sworn statements and specified documents detailed in this act or which create restrictions beyond those specified in this act are in conflict with the intent of this act and are prohibited.

(d) This act shall be liberally construed. This act is supplemental and additional to existing constitutional rights to bear arms and nothing in this act shall impair or diminish such rights.

History: L. 2006, ch. 32, § 17; L. 2007, ch. 166, § 7; L. 2010, ch. 140, § 13; L. 2011, ch. 30, § 270; L. 2013, ch. 105, § 10; L. 2015, ch. 16, § 12; July 1.