Gun rights journalist Cam Edwards opened his recent episode of Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co with a warning that may surprise many Second Amendment supporters: even in conservative states like Kansas, gun rights are not as secure as they seem. Speaking with longtime 2A advocate and Kansas State Representative Rebecca Schmoe, Edwards explained that just because a state is “red” politically doesn’t mean gun owners can afford to let their guard down.
Schmoe echoed that concern. “Even in Kansas, stuff can slip through the cracks,” she told Edwards. “Gun control doesn’t always come through the front door – it can sneak in the back.” Her point was simple: no matter how gun-friendly a state may appear, anti-gun proposals can and do find a way to surface.
The Danger of Feeling Too Comfortable
Kansas currently has constitutional carry, strong protections for gun owners, and a Republican supermajority in its legislature. But as Edwards explained, that doesn’t mean the fight is over. “This is not the time for gun owners to get complacent,” he warned.
Schmoe gave a clear example of how dangerous that complacency can be. A recent bill in Kansas proposed a voluntary “Do Not Sell” firearm list. At first glance, it seemed harmless – even compassionate. But as she and Edwards broke down, the real structure of the bill raised major red flags.
A “Compassionate” Trap in Disguise
According to Schmoe, the bill was framed as a way to help people in crisis who didn’t trust themselves with a firearm. It would allow them, or a third party like a doctor, to submit their name to a state-run database managed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), prohibiting them from purchasing a firearm.
But Schmoe saw it differently. “It was a dangerous can of worms,” she said. The proposal lacked verification, had no real safeguards, and left open the door for abuse. Anyone with access to someone’s ID could potentially submit them to the list, without the person even knowing.
Cam Edwards Warns of Slippery Slope
Edwards backed up Schmoe’s concerns with data from Virginia, where a similar law already exists. Despite being in effect for several years, only 56 people have signed up. “That’s not a solution,” he said. “It’s a symbolic policy that opens the door to more restrictive laws.”
Worse, as Edwards explained, it lays the groundwork for full red flag laws. Today it’s voluntary, but tomorrow it could be mandatory reporting by doctors or family members. “They’ll say, well, we already let doctors report when patients ask. Why not when they think they’re dangerous?”
Red Flag Light – But Just the Beginning
Schmoe called the Kansas bill a “foundation for red flag laws.” That’s not paranoia. The proposed list would have given too much power to third parties – doctors, family, or anyone else – to decide if someone belongs on a government watchlist.
“There was no requirement for an affidavit, no process to verify who actually submitted the name,” Schmoe explained. Once added to the list, getting off would be difficult or nearly impossible, similar to the federal no-fly list that has long been criticized for lack of due process.
Anti-Gun Lobby Uses New Tactics in Red States
One of the key takeaways from Schmoe’s interview was that the gun control lobby is smart. Edwards emphasized how these groups tailor their messaging depending on the state. In liberal states, they push hard bans. In red states like Kansas, they use softer, seemingly “middle ground” proposals.
But make no mistake, Schmoe warned: “The anti-gun side doesn’t stop. They don’t have a backstop. They push and push until they get everything.” That’s why vigilance is not optional – it’s a duty.
Private Sector Solutions the Government Ignores
Instead of turning to government lists, Schmoe praised private organizations like Hold My Guns and Walk the Talk America. These groups offer non-punitive ways for gun owners to voluntarily store their firearms during personal crises – without government involvement, stigma, or permanent records.
Cam Edwards agreed. “That’s where the real solutions are. Not in state databases, but in community-driven resources that respect privacy and liberty.” Schmoe is already working with Kansas FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensees) to expand these kinds of partnerships.
Gun Control Masquerading as Suicide Prevention
During the Kansas committee hearing for the bill, Schmoe said nearly every speaker shared heartbreaking stories of suicide involving a loved one. However, all admitted the proposed law wouldn’t have prevented those tragedies. Yet they still pushed for it.
That’s what made it so dangerous. The emotional weight of these stories created political pressure for lawmakers to support a bill that would likely be ineffective, but permanently erode constitutional rights.
Cam’s Commentary: Ineffective and Misleading
Edwards drove the point home with a blunt assessment: “This is not about safety. It’s about appearances. It’s about doing something symbolic, so they can say they did something – no matter how useless it is.”
His concern wasn’t just about rights being taken away. It was about how time, energy, and political will get wasted on ineffective solutions while better ideas are ignored. “We can walk and chew gum, but that’s not what happens in most state legislatures,” he said.
Rebecca Schmoe’s Solution: Get Government Out of the Way
Schmoe isn’t just opposing bad policy. She’s working to create better ones. Her goal is to empower gun shops and FFLs to offer secure storage without excessive government red tape. She wants Kansas to support grassroots safety programs – not replace them with state-run databases.
“The less government involvement, the better,” she said. “We should be getting out of their way, not trying to control everything from Topeka.”
This Isn’t a Hypothetical Fight
Cam Edwards concluded the segment with a warning to gun owners everywhere: the attacks on your rights won’t always look like bans. They might come softly, wrapped in good intentions. But the danger is just as real.
Red states are not immune. In fact, they’re the next battleground. “It’s not about party lines anymore,” Edwards said. “It’s about strategy. And if we’re not paying attention, we’ll lose ground before we realize it.”
The Quiet Invasion of Liberty
What makes this issue fascinating is how subtle it is. This isn’t a loud ban or a federal overreach. It’s a quiet, clever erosion of freedom in places where people least expect it. And that’s why it works.
People assume their rights are safe in places like Kansas. That’s the trap. But as Schmoe and Edwards show, the fight never stops – and neither should we. The real defenders of liberty are the ones asking questions when everyone else is nodding along.
Never Let Your Guard Down
Gun rights aren’t just under fire in blue states. The battle is everywhere, and sometimes the biggest threat is thinking the fight is already won. Kansas is a warning sign – not a safe zone.
Thanks to voices like Rep. Rebecca Schmoe and Cam Edwards, the alarm is sounding early. Now it’s up to gun owners, especially in red states, to stay awake, stay involved, and stay free.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
