Guns in public hospitals: Kansas panel considers new effort to keep firearms out

TOPEKA -- Officials with the University of Kansas Health System made another effort Thursday to keep guns out of its buildings before a state law that would allow concealed weapons takes effect July 1.

Senate Bill 235, which had a hearing Thursday before the Senate budget committee, would allow Kansas’ state hospitals and public hospitals, like the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., to keep banning handguns.

The legislation is the latest attempt to change the state law after other attempts have failed to gain traction this session.

Bob Page, president and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, said the law taking effect in July already is worrying patients. He said KU Hospital would be at a competitive disadvantage if it became the only hospital in the Kansas City area where concealed weapons are allowed.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article140412648.html