Omar Bennett
On March 12, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed a Constitutional Carry bill into law, allowing state residents to carry firearms without a license. The bill, known as SB150, passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote and cleared the House 60-37. Bevin's signature on the bill made Kentucky the 16th state to pass a Constitutional Carry law, joining the likes of Vermont, Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, and Maine. The law is designed to restore the right to keep and bear arms as outlined in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. While some may view this as a victory for gun rights, others, including Bevin's opponent in the 2019 election, Andy Beshear, have called for stricter gun control measures, such as red flag laws, in response to mass shootings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Governor | Matt Bevin |
| Bill | SB150 |
| Date | March 12, 2019 |
| Senate Vote | 29-8 |
| House Vote | 60-37 |
| Sponsors | 11 Republicans |
| Gun License | Not required |
| Age Limit | 21 or older |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signs the Constitutional Carry Bill into law
- Kentucky is the 16th state to pass the Constitutional Carry Bill
- The Bill allows residents to carry firearms without a permit
- The Bill fosters an environment hostile to federal gun control
- The Bill passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote and cleared the House 60-37
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signs the Constitutional Carry Bill into law
On March 12, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed a bill into law making it legal for state residents to carry firearms concealed without a license. The bill, known as Senate Bill 150 (SB150), passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote and cleared the House 60-37. With Gov. Bevin's signature, the law went into effect 90 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.
This bill restored constitutional carry in Kentucky, meaning that the state returned the law to a close approximation of what it was when the Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment, was signed in 1791. At that point, no permits were required to carry deadly weapons, openly or concealed.
Under the new law, "persons age twenty-one (21) or older, and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm, may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as persons with valid licenses issued under KRS 237.110." The state will continue to issue concealed carry licenses for those who wish to carry concealed weapons in states that offer CCDW reciprocity.
Gov. Bevin emphasized that the measure does not grant the right to carry a gun but instead reaffirms the constitution. "This is a bill that recognizes as part of Kentucky law, once it is the law, once I have signed it, which I will, it recognizes the Second Amendment of the United States," said Bevin. "That's it, it doesn't break new ground, it simply says that people do have the right to keep and bear arms."
The passage of this bill faced opposition from multiple politicians and gun control advocates. However, grassroots pressure was instrumental in moving the bill forward, and it ultimately contributed to Kentucky becoming the 16th state with Constitutional Carry.
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Kentucky is the 16th state to pass the Constitutional Carry Bill
Kentucky became the 16th state to pass the Constitutional Carry Bill, also known as Senate Bill 150 (SB150), in March 2019. The bill was signed into law by Governor Matt Bevin, making it legal for state residents to carry firearms concealed without a license.
The bill was sponsored by a coalition of 11 Republicans and passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote, before clearing the House 60-37. Governor Bevin's signature meant that the law would go into effect 90 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.
The new law states that "persons age twenty-one (21) or older, and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm, may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as persons with valid licenses issued under KRS 237.110." This means that while Kentucky residents can now carry firearms without a permit, certain conditions and restrictions still apply. For example, individuals are still prohibited from carrying firearms in specific locations, such as childcare facilities and school buses.
Governor Bevin emphasised that the measure did not grant a new right to carry a gun but instead reaffirmed the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that "people do have the right to keep and bear arms." He also noted that the bill did not break new ground but simply recognised this existing right.
The passage of the Constitutional Carry Bill in Kentucky is part of a broader trend in the US, with several other states having passed similar legislation in recent years. As of 2019, there were 15 states with some version of Constitutional Carry, and this number has likely increased since then.
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The Bill allows residents to carry firearms without a permit
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed a bill into law on March 12, 2019, allowing state residents to carry firearms concealed without a license. The bill, known as Senate Bill 150 (SB150), passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote and cleared the House 60-37.
Governor Bevin's signature on SB150 made Kentucky the 16th state to pass a Constitutional Carry or "'permitless' carry" bill. This means that Kentucky residents aged 21 or older who can lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as those with valid licenses.
The new law fosters an environment hostile to federal gun control and is a significant step towards restoring the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Governor Bevin emphasized that the measure does not grant a new right to carry a gun but instead reaffirms the constitution. He stated, "It doesn't break new ground; it simply says that people do have the right to keep and bear arms."
While Kentucky's Constitutional Carry law allows residents to carry firearms without a permit, certain conditions and restrictions apply. For example, specific locations, such as facilities for children's care or school buses, are prohibited from carrying firearms. Additionally, local ordinances may regulate firearm use for safety reasons.
The passage of SB150 faced opposition from multiple politicians, who attempted to kill the bill or poison it with anti-gun amendments. However, grassroots pressure was instrumental in moving the bill forward, and the support of grassroots leaders and gun rights activists was crucial in its passage.
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The Bill fosters an environment hostile to federal gun control
On March 12, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed a bill into law making it legal for state residents to carry firearms concealed without a license. The bill, known as Senate Bill 150 (SB150), allows individuals 21 years or older to carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as those with valid licenses. This bill was sponsored by a coalition of 11 Republicans and passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote, clearing the House 60-37.
Governor Bevin emphasized that the measure does not grant a new right to carry a gun but instead reaffirms the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. He stated that the bill simply recognizes the right of people to keep and bear arms. The governor's decision aligns with the historical context in Kentucky, where a ban on carrying concealed arms was deemed unconstitutional under the Second Amendment and the Kentucky State Constitution in Bliss v. Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1822.
The passage of SB150 in Kentucky contributes to a growing trend of states adopting Constitutional Carry laws. Since 2003, 15 states have passed some version of Constitutional Carry, including Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Idaho, Missouri, West Virginia, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Vermont, and several others. These laws allow residents to carry firearms without a permit, fostering an environment that may be seen as hostile to federal gun control efforts.
While permitless carry bills do not directly contradict federal gun control regulations, their widespread adoption by states can undermine federal attempts to regulate guns. This dynamic is similar to what has occurred with marijuana and industrial hemp, where federal prohibitions have become ineffective due to conflicting state laws. The passage of SB150 in Kentucky reflects a broader shift towards prioritizing the Second Amendment and local interpretations of the Constitution over federal gun control initiatives.
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The Bill passed the Senate by a 29-8 vote and cleared the House 60-37
On March 1, 2019, the Kentucky House passed the Constitutional Carry bill, SB 150, with a vote of 60-37. This came two weeks after the bill passed the full Kentucky Senate, 29-8. The bill was widely watched by Second Amendment supporters and was expected to be signed into law by Governor Matt Bevin, a conservative and a concealed carry gun owner himself.
The bill, sponsored by a coalition of 11 Republicans, would make it legal for state residents to carry firearms concealed without a license. It removes the requirement for a permit to carry deadly weapons, openly or concealed, bringing the law closer to what it was when the Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment, was signed in 1791.
Governor Bevin commented that the bill "doesn't break new ground" and that it simply affirms the right to keep and bear arms. He also stated that those who disagree with the bill could live elsewhere in America. The bill was also supported by Gun Owners of America, who endorsed Governor Bevin.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed the constitutional carry bill into law on March 12, 2019.
The constitutional carry bill, or Senate Bill 150 (SB150), makes it legal for Kentucky residents aged 21 and older to carry a firearm concealed without a license.
No, Governor Bevin supported the constitutional carry bill and signed it into law. However, there were multiple politicians who wanted to kill the bill, and it passed despite the objections of gun control advocates.
As of 2024, Kentucky is a constitutional carry state, which means individuals can carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit, as long as certain conditions are met. Some places remain restricted from carrying firearms, and local ordinances may regulate firearm use for safety reasons.
