Kobach seeks opinion on guns at polling places

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has asked Attorney General Derek Schmidt for a ruling on whether a new state law allowing concealed carry in most public buildings includes polling places.

Polling sites in Kansas are often found in places where guns aren’t allowed, such as churches and schools.

But Kobach says there’s “some ambiguity in the law” over whether Kansas polling places would be considered “leased” property under the concealed-carry law. If they are, the law says licensed gun owners must be allowed to carry their weapons on the premises, unless the county files a detailed security plan for each site and provides protective measures.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Schmidt’s opinion won’t have the force of law, but can be used as guidance.