Simone Lawson
On March 11, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed Senate Bill 150 into law, allowing Kentuckians aged 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or a background check. The bill, also known as the constitutional carry law, was backed by the National Rifle Association and made Kentucky the 16th state to enact such legislation. Bevin, who was endorsed by Gun Owners of America during his election campaign, explained that the law doesn't break new ground but instead simply says that people do have the right to keep and bear arms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 11, 2019 |
| Bill Number | Senate Bill 150 |
| Bill Name | Constitutional Carry Law |
| Bill Purpose | To remove the permit requirement to carry a concealed firearm in the state of Kentucky |
| Bill Signed By | Governor Matt Bevin |
| State | Kentucky |
| Number of States with Similar Laws | 16 |
| Age Limit | 21 and above |
| Support | National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America |
| Opposition | Louisville Metro Police, Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police |
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What You'll Learn
- Matt Bevin signed the bill for constitutional carry into law in March 2019
- The bill allows Kentuckians 21+ to carry a concealed firearm without a permit
- The bill was opposed by groups like Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police
- Bevin has received praise and awards from gun rights groups
- Bevin has pledged to resist restrictions on gun types or ammunition
Matt Bevin signed the bill for constitutional carry into law in March 2019
On March 11, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed Senate Bill 150 into law, restoring constitutional carry to the State of Kentucky. The bill allows Kentuckians aged 21 and older who can legally possess a firearm to conceal it without a permit. Before the bill was signed, state law required people to obtain a permit before carrying a concealed firearm. This involved undergoing a background check, completing gun safety training, and paying a $60 fee.
Governor Bevin explained that the law does not create a new right but instead reaffirms the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that people have the right to keep and bear arms. The bill was backed by the National Rifle Association and supported by gun rights groups. However, it was opposed by some law enforcement groups, such as the Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police.
By signing the bill, Governor Bevin fulfilled his pledge to resist any restrictions on the types of guns or ammunition that citizens could purchase. He had previously been endorsed by Gun Owners of America and had received the ".50 Caliber Freedom Award" from the National Association for Gun Rights. The award recognized his support for gun rights and his work on Senate Bill 150.
The bill went into effect 90 days after the session ended on March 28, 2019, making Kentucky the 16th state to enact such legislation. While proponents of the bill argued that it upheld the values of the Second Amendment, critics argued that it was a dangerous piece of legislation that ignored the will of the majority of Kentuckians, who supported the existing permitting system. Despite the controversy, Governor Bevin's decision to sign the bill into law demonstrated his commitment to upholding the constitutional right to bear arms.
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The bill allows Kentuckians 21+ to carry a concealed firearm without a permit
On March 11, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed Senate Bill 150 into law, allowing Kentuckians aged 21 and over to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The bill, also known as the Constitutional Carry law, removes the previous requirement for a permit or a background check and safety training to carry a concealed weapon. Governor Bevin emphasised that the law does not create a new right but reaffirms the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms.
The bill was supported by gun rights groups such as the National Rifle Association and the National Association for Gun Rights, which awarded Governor Bevin the ".50 Caliber Freedom Award" for his efforts in upholding gun rights. Proponents of the bill argued that it upholds the values of the Second Amendment and makes the country a safer place, with the U.S. Concealed Carry Association president, Tim Schmidt, stating that "responsibly-armed Americans are often the first line of defence in active shooter situations".
However, the bill was opposed by law enforcement groups such as the Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. Critics argued that elected officials should not ignore the will of their constituents, as most Kentuckians supported the existing permitting system. The bill sparked a broader debate about the interpretation of the Second Amendment and the role of states in restricting or upholding gun rights.
The signing of the bill into law made Kentucky the 16th state to enact such legislation, joining other constitutional carry states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The law went into effect 90 days after the session ended on March 28, 2019. This development highlights the ongoing discussions and differing perspectives surrounding gun control and the interpretation of constitutional rights in the United States.
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The bill was opposed by groups like Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police
On March 11, 2019, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin signed Senate Bill 150 into law, allowing Kentuckians aged 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. While the bill was supported by gun rights groups and the National Rifle Association, it was opposed by law enforcement groups such as the Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police.
The bill faced opposition from these law enforcement groups due to concerns about public safety and the potential for increased gun violence. Removing the permit requirement meant that individuals could carry concealed deadly weapons without undergoing a background check, completing gun safety training, or paying a fee. This ease of access to concealed firearms raised concerns among police officers and other opponents of the bill.
The Louisville Metro Police, as the primary law enforcement agency in the city of Louisville, expressed their disapproval of the bill. They argued that the previous permitting system helped ensure that only qualified and responsible individuals could carry concealed weapons. By eliminating the permit requirement, the new law made it more difficult for law enforcement to monitor and regulate the carrying of concealed firearms.
The Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, a professional organization representing law enforcement officers across the state, also opposed the bill. They shared similar concerns about public safety and the potential challenges for police officers in enforcing the law. The organization advocated for stricter gun control measures and believed that the bill undermined their efforts to maintain public safety and reduce gun-related crimes.
It is important to note that the opposition from these law enforcement groups reflected their commitment to maintaining public order and addressing the complexities associated with gun violence. While Governor Bevin and supporters of the bill emphasized the Second Amendment rights of citizens, the opposition from law enforcement highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and public safety in Kentucky and across the United States.
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Bevin has received praise and awards from gun rights groups
On March 11, 2019, then-Governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin, signed a bill into law removing the permit requirement to carry a concealed firearm in the state. The bill, known as Senate Bill 150 or the Constitutional Carry law, allowed Kentuckians aged 21 and older to conceal a firearm without a permit, as long as they could legally possess a firearm.
Bevin has been recognised and praised by gun rights groups for his support of gun rights and his work on Senate Bill 150. In October 2019, he received the "50 Caliber Freedom Award" from the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR). During the award ceremony, NAGR President Dudley Brown praised Bevin for his leadership and commitment to passing gun rights legislation. Bevin was also recognised as the first governor to receive the award and was described by Brown as "the most pro-gun Governor in office today".
In his acceptance speech, Bevin reaffirmed his dedication to protecting gun rights and upholding the Second Amendment, stating that "the 27 simple words of the Second Amendment are as clear as they can possibly be. Our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Bevin also voiced his opposition to "Red Flag" laws, which would restrict firearm sales to individuals perceived as threats.
In addition to the NAGR award, Bevin has also been endorsed by Gun Owners of America. He pledged to resist any restrictions on the types of guns or ammunition that citizens could purchase.
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Bevin has pledged to resist restrictions on gun types or ammunition
On March 11, 2019, then-Governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin, signed Senate Bill 150 into law, allowing Kentuckians aged 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The bill was backed by the National Rifle Association but faced opposition from groups like the Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police.
Bevin's decision to support and sign the bill was consistent with his stance on gun rights. Endorsed by the Gun Owners of America, Bevin pledged to resist any restrictions on the types of guns or ammunition that citizens could purchase. He emphasised that the bill did not create a new right but instead reaffirmed the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms.
In his support for the bill, Bevin stated that it "doesn't break new ground" but simply recognises the existing rights of citizens to bear arms. This stance was praised by gun rights advocates, with Tim Schmidt, president of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, stating that Bevin's decision "upholds the values of the Second Amendment and makes our country a safer place."
Bevin's signing of the bill was met with criticism from those who supported the existing permitting system for concealed carry. Some viewed the bill as dangerous and expressed disappointment in Bevin for ignoring the will of his constituents. Despite the opposition, Bevin's actions were consistent with his pledge to resist restrictions on gun types or ammunition, indicating his prioritisation of gun rights and the Second Amendment.
As a result of Bevin's actions, Kentucky became the 16th state to enact such legislation, joining other states with constitutional carry laws that allow permitless concealed carry. Bevin's support for gun rights was further recognised when he received the ".50 Caliber Freedom Award" from the National Association for Gun Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on March 11, 2019, Matt Bevin, the then Governor of Kentucky, signed Senate Bill 150 into law, making it the 16th state to enact such legislation.
The bill, also known as the Constitutional Carry Law, removes the permit requirement for carrying a concealed firearm in the state of Kentucky.
The bill was backed by the National Rifle Association and praised by the president of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, Tim Schmidt. However, it was opposed by groups such as the Louisville Metro Police and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police.
The objective of the bill was to allow people aged 21 and over to carry concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same places where people with concealed carry licenses could carry.
Governor Bevin emphasized that the bill does not grant the right to carry a gun but instead reaffirms the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms.
