Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney's Office

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager Toni R. Wheeler, City Attorney
FROM:	Randall F. Larkin, Senior Assistant City Attorney
DATE:	June 11, 2015
RE:	Merchant Security Amendment

City of Lawrence, Kan., Code § 13-219 (Jan. 1, 2015), requires all merchant security officers, who carry firearms, to pay a $28 fee, to receive training in the handling of firearms from the City of Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department, and be certified by the Chief of Police to carry a firearm while on duty as a merchant security officer.

Effective July 1, 2015, through House Bill No. 2087, which amends K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 12-16,124, the Kansas legislature will proscribe cities from regulating, in any fashion (except in a few circumstances not applicable herein), the carrying of firearms. Under the amended law, it will no longer be lawful for the City to require merchant security officers to pay a fee, to receive training, and to be certified by the Chief of Police to carry firearms while on duty.

As a result, staff has prepared Ordinance No. 9126 which would repeal Section 13-219 of the City Code and bring the City into compliance with state law.

Action Requested:

Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 9126, amending the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, 2015 Edition, and amendments thereto, by repealing Chapter XIII, Article 2, Section 13-219.