Kansas bill to lower age for carrying concealed firearms stalls in committee

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A bill to lower the legal age to carry concealed firearms in Kansas from 21 to 18 has stalled in a House committee, but a supporter plans to offer the proposal for consideration on the House floor.

The bill would require permit holders to complete a background check and undergo gun safety training. Supporters say 18-year-old Kansans can already carry firearms in the open.

Opponent say those under 21 are less mature and more prone to risk-taking.

Bills that don’t get committee approval typically fail.

But Hesston Republican Rep. Stephen Owens said he’d bring it up as an amendment to another gun bill that will get a floor debate