Concealed carry goes wrong in Lenexa restaurant

Kansas officials are reviewing the events surrounding a man’s accidental shooting of his wife last week at the Longbranch Steakhouse in Lenexa.

Police said the two were sitting across from each other in a booth about 8:15 p.m. Jan. 2 when the man reached into his front pants pocket and accidentally discharged a small pistol, striking his wife in the leg just above the knee. She was treated at a hospital and released.

The man had a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon, said Officer Dan Friesen of the Lenexa Police Department. But Kansas law does not allow people to carry concealed weapons if they are under the influence of alcohol. It is a Class A misdemeanor.

Friesen said the Johnson County district attorney’s office was reviewing the case to decide whether to file a charge. He said the Kansas attorney general’s office will also review the case to determine whether to revoke the man’s concealed-carry permit.

Longbranch, at 8600 Marshall Drive, serves alcohol. But because it also is a restaurant, concealed weapons on the premises are permissible. Concealed weapons are not allowed in bars.

Matt Campbell, mcampbell@kcstar.com