Kansas Securities Commissioner Josh Ney intends to ask legislators to increase penalties for those who prey on the financial assets of residents age 60 and older.

Ney says that he wants to enhance the penalties for criminals when the victims are older to close what he sees as a gap in current state law.

He says Kansas has made improvements in securities enforcement in recent years but more could be done to protect residents and their investments.

Ney was confirmed as securities commissioner in September by legislators, replacing former state Rep. Aaron Jack, who left the office earlier this year amid controversy over how he ran it.

Ney says he also will ask legislators to establish a fund from settlements to help local securities cases.