The Kentucky legislature passed several pro-gun measures in March despite attempts by opponents to kill the bills with amendments and substitutes, according to the Kentucky Concealed Carry Coalition.
The first to be approved by both houses in Frankfort was HB-15, a measure that prohibits cities and towns from filing frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and marketers.
Next up was HB-156, which passed with an amendment that makes the state’s concealed carry license a substitute for a background check and deletes mention of churches in the right to carry statute so that clergy and worshipers do not have to leave their self-defense guns in their cars. Churches are thus placed on the same footing as businesses, which may post their buildings if they wish to prohibit concealed carry on premises.
A title change by the Senate for HB-156 will require concurrence by the House before the measure is sent to the governor.
Finally, HB-331, which requires local police departments to turnover seized guns to the state police under specified deadlines for periodic auctions. The proceeds from the auctions would go to buy body armor for cash-strapped localities.
HB-331 started out as a measure that gave major cities the option of not auctioning guns. It was amended and passed the state House in February. Further attempts to amend the bill in committee in the Senate were beaten back. The final bill was approved on a 30-5 vote by the Senate on March 24 and sent to the governor.
The National Rifle Association supported all three measures in their final form.