Kansas governor vetoes school gun-detection technology measure citing competition concerns

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a measure that would have allocated $5 million for gun-detection systems in schools, citing concerns that it would benefit only one company, ZeroEyes. The firm, founded by military veterans after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, uses surveillance cameras and artificial intelligence to identify individuals with guns and alert authorities.

The vetoed wording of the legislation included specific criteria that only ZeroEyes met, such as patented firearm-detection software, compliance with security industry standards, and the ability to detect various firearm classifications and subclassifications. Governor Kelly argued that limiting the funding opportunity to one company would hinder school districts from exploring other safety measures.

ZeroEyes, which already has customers in Kansas, expressed disappointment over the veto but remains committed to expanding its presence in the state. The company’s chief strategy officer, Kieran Carroll, emphasized the success of their technology in other states and highlighted the importance of the “anti-terrorism technology” designation.

Competitors of ZeroEyes, such as Omnilert, praised Governor Kelly’s decision to veto the measure, stating that schools should have a choice in their security programs. The Kansas veto sets an example for other governors and lawmakers to prioritize competition and options in school safety initiatives.