Bill would open sales of automatic weapons

[fultonCoShooter]

i dunno if this is true or not just found the link anyone have any info?

http://cjonline.com/stories/031408/sta_257711292.shtml

By James Carlson
The Capital-Journal
Published Friday, March 14, 2008




Gun dealers, manufacturers and private citizens could possess automatic weapons under a bill considered Thursday by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Supporters of the measure say it would help firearms dealers hurt by a recent interpretation of Kansas law, and most on the committee appeared favorable to the legislation.

Some, however, questioned whether the proposal went too far in allowing individuals the right to own a machine gun.

"I don't think law enforcement thinks it's the end of the world if it gets expanded," said Ed Klumpp, lobbyist for the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police and a former Topeka police chief. "But they're not excited about it either."

Aaron Einsel wants to see the bill passed. The owner of Aaron's Guns in Greensburg, Einsel has been federally licensed for 30 years to sell silencers and automatic weapons to law enforcement departments.

"These firearms are used in high-risk situations where the safety of the officers involved depends on the ability to deliver suppressed, accurate, rapid fire in order to neutralize multiple dangerous targets," he said.

But in December, then-Attorney General Paul Morrison issued an opinion saying Kansas law doesn't allow those sales. The bill heard Thursday would put the law back in line with how it was previously understood.

It also goes one step further.

The legislation would give individuals the opportunity to purchase, for instance, a machine gun.

Klumpp said his group supported the right of manufacturers and dealers to sell the weapons to law enforcement but was wary of expanding the bill to private citizens.

"We just have failed to hear any valid reasons for expanding it to individuals," he said.

Do people need a reason? asked Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth.

"If people want to possess it, it's up to them," she said.

Supporters of the bill pointed out that states surrounding Kansas already have this law, as does the federal government.

Jordan Austin, lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, clicked off the laundry list of requirements for someone to be able to own an automatic weapon — a background check, local law enforcement approval, fingerprints, photographs, a $200 fee and a dictionary-sized book of regulations to follow.

"These are the most law-abiding citizens in the country right now," Austin said.

Tim McGill, whose Cine Specialists in Wichita provides firearms for the movie industry, said it isn't unusual for a machine gun to cost upwards of $30,000, well out of the financial reach for most people.

"The idea that people are going around willy-nilly shooting is probably not a likelihood," McGill said.

McGill and Einsel joined other businesses at the hearing to protest the current law's consequences for their sales. Einsel said his business in Greensburg is "basically shut down."

The committee did hear a bill last week that would have allowed dealers in Kansas to own and sell the weapons but not manufacturers or importers. Rep. Ann Mah, D-Topeka, wondered if the panel could pull together a bill that would allow dealers, manufacturers and importers to sell automatic weapons but would prohibit individuals from possessing them.

"I just have a problem with going beyond (dealers)," she said.

[Rick O'Shea]

Although "federal" is thrown around quite a bit in the article, it appears this a just a state issue in Kansas. I guess NFA items are currently not allowed there.

[JoeWilliams]

I'm going to write this chick in for President:

Do people need a reason? asked Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth.

"If people want to possess it, it's up to them," she said."

[KeithPA]

http://www.mp5.net/info/sbsconr.htm

According to that site FULL AUTO weapons are not allowed in Kansas. I doubt the bill is an attempt to override the federal law, even though it's unconstitutional.

[NineseveN]

Good luck, people of Kansas.