FRANKFORT, KY – Legislation that would allow someone to carry a concealed firearm without a license cleared a state Senate panel today.
Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, explaining Senate Bill 150, an act relating to carrying firearms.
Senate Bill 150, dubbed the permitless carry bill, states that people 21 or older who are able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon without a license in the same locations as people with valid state-issued licenses. Another provision states no one would be allowed to carry or possess any deadly weapon where it is already prohibited by federal law.
While testifying before the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee, sponsor Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, said SB 150 would decriminalize carrying a deadly weapon without a license for those who meet the requirements. Carrying a concealed weapon without a license is currently a misdemeanor unless the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony involving a deadly weapon, in which case it is a felony.
Smith said SB 150 would provide relief to people, such as domestic violence victims, who might carry a concealed firearm for protection but do not have the time or cannot afford the training and licensing fees for a concealed carry license. He said SB 150 would also give law-abiding gun owners the ability to better protect themselves and their loved ones.
Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, said she has had a concealed carry license for more than 20 years but couldn’t support SB 150 because it doesn’t require gun training and safety classes.
“The basic fundamental instruction I underwent to receive that (license) gave me the confidence I could handle that weapon,” she said. “I think taking away that training is certainly going in the wrong direction.”
There was also a concern about the loss of revenue from licenses. Currently, sheriffs’ offices retain $20 of each $60 application and renewal fee, according to a Local Government Mandate Statement prepared by the Legislative Research Commission.
Art Thomm of the National Rifle Association testified in support of SB 150. He said people could still get concealed carry licenses so, among other things, they could carry concealed firearms in states with reciprocity agreements with Kentucky.
Stephen McBride of the Kentucky Concealed Carry Coalition, commonly referred to as KC3, also testified in support of waiving the concealed carry permit system.
“Open carry of handguns has been legal in Kentucky for over 200 years,” McBride said. “There has never been a permit required to do that.”
SB 150 now goes before the full Senate for consideration.
-- END --
