City Commission mulls over new security legislation

Comments from City Attorney Bob Farmer concerning recent-enacted conceal-carry legislation prompted Fort Scott City Commissioners to act during their regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Farmer requested that commissioners consider approval of a motion to send a letter to the state requesting the city to be exempt from House Bill 2052. The legislation passed in April by the Kansas Legislature and approved by Gov. Sam Brownback allows conceal-carry licensees to carry their guns into public buildings, which includes city government buildings. Farmer said he has talked with several other attorneys across the state about the matter.

"They can carry guns into this meeting room, whether it's posted or not, unless security is in place to screen everyone, and this includes employees," Farmer said. "The cost (for security measures) is astronomical."