A new Kansas law allows prosecutors to carry concealed guns into court buildings and courtrooms if county officials allow it, but at least a few are saying no.
The law, which took effect last week, is an exception to a ban on people other than law enforcement carrying concealed guns into court buildings. A 2006 law allows Kansans to obtain concealed carry permits, with some restrictions on where.
The new state law applies to county and federal prosecutors and the attorney general and his staff. Deputy or assistant prosecutors must receive bosses' permission. Counties, however, are allowed to set their own policies on prosecutors and courthouses.
Officials in Johnson and Shawnee counties have decided against allowing concealed carry. Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome Gorman said his staff won't be taking guns into courtrooms.
"We're not big about carrying them into the courthouse other than carrying them from the car to the office and locking them in a drawer," Gorman told The Kansas City Star.
Backers of the law said it would allow prosecutors to better protect themselves. A survey of 127 county court buildings in 2006 and 2007 found that only 14 of them had controlled entrances.
