Guns and sex topics of Ben Baker's first pre-filed bills for 2024 session

It's back to guns and sex for Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, who prefiled his first two bills of the 2024 session today.

HB 1848 calls for anyone with a concealed carry permit to be allowed to bring their guns into churches and other places of worship.

HB 1849 is labeled as "modifies provisions relating to sexually oriented businesses."

The full text and summaries of the bills have not been posted, but it would appear Baker, as many other legislators do, has simply refiled his bills that did not make it during the last session.

HB 485 was the guns in churches bill in the 2023 session and simply removed churches from the list of places where guns could not be carried. The current law only allows guns with the permission of the minister or the persons who are in control of the church.

The sexually oriented business bill is a repeat of this year's HB 494, which makes "adult cabaret performances" illegal.

This is Baker's anti-drag bill and is similar to bills that have been proposed in many states. 

HB 494 offers the following description of what this bill would outlaw:

"Adult cabaret performance", a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether performed for consideration;