Kentucky Governor Signs Three NRA-Backed Bills into Law

Yesterday, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed three NRA-backed bills into law: House Bill 484, concealed carry exemption; House Bill 500, strengthening current firearms preemption law; and House Bill 563, fraudulent firearms prevention.  These laws will go into effect on July 11, 2012.

HB 484, sponsored by state Representative Will Coursey (D-6), expands the current concealed carry exemptions by allowing landowners and businessmen with a sole proprietorship to carry a handgun concealed without the necessity of a concealed carry permit.

HB 500, sponsored by state Representative Bob Damron (D-39), will strengthen the current firearms preemption statute by expanding it to other units of government and public agencies to help prevent attempts to circumvent current state firearms laws and prohibit cities and counties from passing ordinances that would be more restrictive than existing state laws.  HB 500 mandates consistent statewide regulations pertaining to firearms and ammunition and prevents a rights-infringing patchwork of local ordinances.

HB 563, sponsored by state Representative Martha Jane King (D-16), will protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Bloomberg has sent hired agents into other states to attempt illegal firearm purchases in an effort to blame federally licensed firearm retailers for gun crime in New York City and around the country.

Please contact Governor Steve Beshear and thank him for signing these three pro-gun bills into law.  You can contact Governor Beshear by e-mail using this online form.

We thank NRA members across the Bluegrass State who answered the call and contacted their state legislators during 2012 legislative session.