Meeting Public Comments

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SSB 1168

A bill for an act relating to the transferring, carrying, transportation, and possession of weapons by certain persons and in certain locations, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 543.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Schultz-CH, Bisignano, Zaun

Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room 315

Comments Submitted:

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03-01-2023

Kevin Hendress []

I'm in support of this. We all know that gun free zones don't work. We need to expand the ability of law abiding folks to protect themselves: at work, at the state fair, dropping kids off at school and the list goes on. Please work to remove restrictions on where lawabiding folks can carry.

03-01-2023

Hannah Hayes []

I urge you not to advance Senate Study Bill 1168, which would prevent business owners from keeping themselves and their property safe from guns as they see fit. This bill would force businesses to allow guns in cars onto their property allowing the government to decide what private property owners can and cannot permit on their own property. Beyond tying businesses' hands, this bill ignores the fact that there are legitimate reasons for employers and others to choose not to have firearms stored on their property, including the risk of guns being stolen from cars. Cars are one of the most popular targets for firearms thieves. One analysis found that in 2020, over half of guns stolen were taken from cars. Data clearly shows that gun thefts from cars have been on the rise in recent years.. Forcing private business owners or employers to allow guns to be stored in vehicles in their parking lots risks making these cars attractive targets for thieves.Finally, I am most concerned about the provisions of this bill which would force schools, universities, and college campuses to allow loaded guns in the parking lots on their property. There is no evidence that allowing guns on campuses reduces crime or makes campuses safer. Schools and universities are places of learning and students should be free to express their opinions and learn without the fear of another student carrying a gun to a lecture or at a tailgate. College campuses also have unique risk factors, such as high rates of mental illness and the prevalence of alcohol and drugs, that make the presence of guns potentially deadly. This legislation is likely to have grave unintended consequences for public safety in our state. I urge you to not advance this bill.