Kansas House Bill HCR5006

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to amend section 4 of the Kansas bill of rights to recognize the right to bear arms as a fundamental right that includes the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories and firearm components, and that any restrictions on such right are subject to the strict scrutiny standard.

Summary

HCR5006 is a proposed constitutional amendment to Section 4 of the Kansas Bill of Rights concerning the right to keep and bear arms. It would expressly state that the right is a natural and fundamental right, and it would clarify that the protected right includes the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components. The resolution also states that the right applies for self-defense, defense of family, home, and state, lawful hunting, recreational use, and any other lawful purpose. The measure further provides that any restriction on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review. If approved by the Legislature and then by voters, the amendment would be placed on the ballot at a special election scheduled for August 4, 2026, held alongside the primary election. As a constitutional amendment proposal, it would not itself change statutory law directly, but would alter the state constitution and likely affect how courts evaluate firearm regulations in Kansas.

Impact

If adopted, HCR5006 would amend the Kansas Constitution rather than ordinary state statutes, strengthening constitutional protection for firearm possession and use. It would likely affect future state and local gun regulations by requiring courts to apply strict scrutiny to restrictions on firearms, ammunition, accessories, and components, making such laws harder to defend. The proposal could also influence litigation over existing and future gun-control measures and would guide interpretation of the Kansas Bill of Rights in firearm-related cases.

Sentiment

The available context suggests strong support among the bill’s House sponsors, with the resolution introduced by a large bipartisan-looking list of representatives but dominated by Republican members. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence of formal debate or opposition in the supplied materials. Based on the text, the measure is framed as a rights-protection amendment and appears to be presented in a favorable, pro-Second Amendment posture.

Contention

The main point of contention is the constitutional standard the amendment would impose: strict scrutiny for any restriction on the right to bear arms. Supporters are likely to view this as necessary to protect gun rights and prevent erosion through regulation, while opponents would likely argue it could make reasonable firearm safety laws more difficult to enact or defend. Another possible area of dispute is the amendment’s explicit inclusion of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components, which broadens the scope of protected conduct beyond firearms alone.