The Kansas House has advanced a bill expanding the public places where people with permits could carry concealed weapons.

Much of Wednesday’s debate focused on whether legislators had the right to mandate that local governments take additional steps to make public buildings secure. The measure received first-round approval Wednesday, with a final vote is set for Thursday.

The bill would allow school districts and state colleges to designate employees who could carry concealed firearms inside their buildings, even if such weapons were banned for others.

The measure also would expand the number of public buildings where people with a state permit could bring concealed weapons.