With only four working days into the new year, Kansans by Friday had flocked to local motor vehicle offices to apply for their concealed carry licenses.
Bonnie Brown, public information officer for the Division of Motor Vehicles, said that approximately 2,000 applications for concealed-carry licenses had been received this week across the state. Separate figures for Lyon County were not yet available.
The licenses, which became available on Jan. 1, allow qualified people to carry concealed weapons. Applicants already have completed the eight hours of instruction, background checks, fee payments and other requirements and have been approved for concealed carry by the Attorney General’s office. Cards may be obtained separately or may be incorporated into driver’s licenses.
Connie Lewis, owner and regional manager of Lewis Bail Bonds, was one of those Lyon Countians who made application on Wednesday and had received a temporary license until her permanent one arrives sometime this spring.
She fulfilled the requirements for concealed carry approval: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and must pass a national fingerprint-based background check, complete formal training on legal issues and safe handling of firearms and satisfactorily complete a live fire exercise to prove capability to handle and shoot a weapon. Any pending arrest or charge for a disqualifying act could cause denial or suspension of a license pending the outcome of the arrest or charge.
Lewis initially was not a gun enthusiast.
“Three years ago, I was scared to death of them,” she said. “Now I’m comfortable enough to know that I could use it if I had to, and I will if I have to.”
She completed the required firearms course with certified instructor Roger Proehl. The ability to carry a concealed weapon is a safety issue for Lewis, who provides bail to people who may have been arrested for anything from driving under the influence of intoxicants to murder.
“I think my job affords me to have one, and sometimes it could be necessary,” she said. “Basically, I want to have the option to be able to carry concealed. It’s not something that I’m going to do all the time, but when I feel it’s necessary. ...
“We basically deal with the same people that law enforcement deals with, and some people get kind of angry if you’ve got to take them back to jail. ... That’s our obligation.”
The concealed carry license does not mean that holders can take concealed weapons into any building. Some are specifically prohibited — bars and taverns, schools, government buildings and similar places.
“On the buildings that are prohibited, you don’t have to post,” said City Attorney Blaise Plummer about the city’s exemption in the law. “We may put up or post a sign, the international symbol for no guns.”
Businesses, churches and others also have the right to “opt out” and ban concealed weapons in their buildings. All they need do is to post the international sign — a handgun inside a red circle with a diametrical line running through.
That’s what Newman Regional Health has done, said Nancy LeClear, director of marketing and education.
The official hospital policy applies to employees, patients, visitors, medical staff and others and prohibits carrying guns, whether concealed or not, on all Newman Regional Health premises.
“It applies to all hospital property,” she said. “We don’t want them in our parking lot.”
Handwritten or even professionally printed signs that deviate from the law will not be acceptable.
“I’m afraid that’s not going to cut it. It has to be of the approved type,” Plummer said.
Lewis chose to have a separate CCL rather than piggyback it onto her driver’s license, which also is an option.
Brown said that decision is one her division recommends.
“The reason is that is in case your license is stolen,” Brown said.
If a combined CCL and driver’s license is stolen, the driver’s license cannot be replaced immediately. Instead, the driver’s license will pend while the concealed carry is thoroughly checked and re-issued. And guns can’t be carried without the permit.
“You would be without a physical license for identification. They can do it either way, but the suggestion is, get another card for that purpose,” Brown said.
Plummer anticipates it will take a while for people to get used to all the rules involved in the new law.
“There’s going to be a learning curve here on this,” he said. “It’s going to take a while.”