Posted on 02/16/2007 9:17:02 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Little white signs displaying a crossed-out handgun have been cropping up around Manhattan since last month following the state's adoption of concealed-carry laws. The signs render the properties off-limits to concealed weapons.
The Personal and Family Protection Act, which became law on July 1, 2006, allows for the licensed carrying of concealed weapons but not everywhere.
The first licenses were issued on Jan. 3, 2007. To obtain a license, one can fill out an online application at the Kansas attorney general's Web site, or pick up a paper copy at the sheriff's office in the county where he or she resides.
The licenses are valid for four years, and all license applicants successfully must complete an 8-hour training program approved by the attorney general before receiving the license. The license costs $150 and the cost of instruction, with $40 going to that sheriff's office and the rest to the attorney general's office.
A list of certified instructors is on the Attorney General's Web site.
The act lists several locations where concealed weapons are banned, including city halls, municipal courts and college campuses.
"It's really just a safety issue," said Clancy Holeman, Riley County counselor.
Property owners are allowed to ban concealed weapons on their property by posting signs that meet standards set by the act. The city commission voted last month to put such signs on much of its property, including City Hall and several parks.
Many businesses and organizations in and around Manhattan have put up such signs, including the Riley County Police Department, Manhattan Town Center and the Riley County Historical Museum.
The signs must be eight inches square or larger, with a white background. The depiction of the handgun must be black and the circle and diagonal slash across the image of the handgun should be red.
No text can be placed within the one-inch area surrounding the graphic, according to the regulations.
Sara Van Allen, marketing manager for Manhattan Town Center, said the building is a family environment, and as such, the owners decided to ban concealed weapons in the entire mall.
"It's for the safety of our shoppers," Van Allen said.
If a person is caught carrying a concealed weapon in a building that has a posted weapons ban, police will charge him or her with a class-B misdemeanor which means a fine of $200 to $1,000 and no more than six months imprisonment.
Many businesses do not have the signs up, but some said the signs might be a good idea, especially businesses with a high risk of robberies, said Kelly Unekis, clerk at Dara's Fast Lane.
"It'd probably be a good idea since the law passed," Unekis said.
Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-Manhattan, didn't vote for the concealed carry law but did vote to restrict areas in which concealed weapons could be taken, she said.
House Bill 2528, introduced Wednesday, would prohibit places that have not been specified by state law from banning concealed weapons, Carlin said.
She was unsure whether retail businesses such as Manhattan Town Center would fall under that bill.
"I don't intend to support anything more on concealed carry," Carlin said.
Your house, your rules. If a property owner doesn't want people bringing in guns that's his perogative.
The anti-gun businesses did this when CC 1st passed in MN.
It lasted about 3 months before most took down their "come rob us" signs.
It sure is, and people will be slaughtered someday in one of these *safe concealed carry prhibited zones* because no armed citizens were there to stop it.
"Your house, your rules."
LOL! Dream on. I guess the business owner gets the fine, huh? Nope the city. Whose house is it now?
Your house, your rules. If a property owner doesn't want people bringing in guns that's his perogative.
They'd might as well post "Rob Me" signs.
Rule of thumb: don't darry where they have metal detectors at the entrance. Other than that, it is your life on the line, so you decide.
Too bad that same rule doens't apply to bars and restaurants in regards to smoking. On the other hand the city is wrong in regards restricting CC in parks which are open public areas.
If I am going to rob you, with a gun then I would think the
"has a posted weapons ban, police will charge him or her with a class-B misdemeanor which means a fine of $200 to $1,000 and no more than six months imprisonment"
would have little or no bearing on my actions - other than hot having to worry about armed citizens.
I'd settle for a news story where their name and image is displayed prominently when a patron of their business is victimized.
The 2nd ammendment is slowly being castrated. While a "right to an abortion", nowhere written in the Constitution, is enforced vigorously. I thought only the citizens were allowed to ammend the Constitution. WE ARE the power, not activist judges and leftists who want to rule over us.
You're right. These signs don't last and for a number of reasons. Those of us who carry legally can be pretty firm about not patronizing businesses which post these signs, for one thing, and business owners are often surprised to learn over time just how many of their good customers don't come back because of them. I think it's a temporary, transitional thing where they cater to the fears of the uninformed. Later on, when they take those signs down after the hysteria has passed, no one notices.
"They'd might as well post "Rob Me" signs."
Maybe they'll just put up a sign banning robberies, too.
I agree with you.
But it is the right of patrons to not shop there as well.
The person has a CC permit for a reason. Maybe they are being stalked by an old boyfriend, etc. I guess one could leave the weapon in the car. However, that is dangerous, too -- it could get stolen and used in a crime.
I'd prefer to keep the weapon with me because of the danger of it getting into the wrong hands. Chances are good that a car will be broken into.
I was entering a building the other week and saw one of the 'no firearms' stickers. Considering that it was medical building filled with dentist's offices I think it was probably a good idea to keep the patients unarmed.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
hmmm .... I wonder if that mall in Utah had those signs.
One of the stupidest statement I have read in a while.....
Especially when they see the bill...
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