Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Gun Rights Constitution topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee passes HCR 5,006 to expand state constitutional right to bear arms to include ammunition and components
Summary
The committee voted to pass HCR 5,006, a proposed state constitutional amendment that would explicitly include ammunition and firearms components in the right to keep and bear arms.
The committee voted to pass House Concurrent Resolution 5,006, a proposed amendment to the Kansas Bill of Rights (section 4) that would explicitly expand the right to keep and bear arms to include “the possession and use of ammunition, firearms accessories, and firearms components,” and add a provision that the right is “a natural and fundamental right” subject to strict scrutiny.
The Reviser's Office summarized the resolution, noting it would amend the state constitution’s language to encompass ammunition and components and add a strict‑scrutiny clause. The attorney general and other witnesses had previously testified on the measure during the committee’s earlier hearing, according to the Reviser's summary.
Representative Schmoe moved the committee to pass HCR 5,006 favorably; Representative Sanders seconded. After restrained discussion that included questions about undefined terms such as “components” and how federal law interacts with a state constitutional provision, the committee took a voice vote. The chair announced, “Aye’s have it.”
Several legislators asked to have their individual votes recorded. Representative Clayton asked to have his vote recorded as “no.” The clerk also recorded Representative Mosley and Representative Susan Reese as “no.” The clerk recorded Representative Sanders and Representative Wagner among those voting “yes.” The committee did not provide a roll‑call tally of all members in the hearing record; the motion’s passage was announced after the voice vote.
Legal context discussed on the record included the Limits of federal preemption: the Reviser's Office noted federal law would trump a state constitutional provision, and the committee referenced the supremacy clause and possible questions about how federal regulatory actions would interact with the proposed state constitutional language.
Outcome: motion to pass HCR 5,006 favorably carried on a voice vote; members recorded individual no votes on the record. The measure will proceed according to constitutional amendment procedures if reported from committee.
