Public schools and state colleges in Kansas could designate workers to carry concealed guns even if such weapons are banned inside their buildings for others under a bill that a legislative committee approved Wednesday.

The measure approved by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee also would require the state, cities, counties and townships to allow concealed guns in their buildings unless they have electronic equipment and officers to check for weapons at public entrances. State law now generally bans concealed weapons in courthouses, state offices and other public buildings where officials post notices.

The bill would allow state institutions of higher education, government-owned hospitals and nursing homes to still prohibit guns for four years, exempting themselves from the security check requirement. But committee members added amendments to allow local school boards and university and college presidents to designate employees who could carry concealed weapons inside their buildings.

Source: John Hanna for the Associated Press