Senate bill to curb gun violence OK’d by House panel

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Legislation to curb gun violence by convicted felons passed the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday on an 18-0 vote.

Senate Bill 210 would increase penalties that can be imposed on convicted felons for possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes.

Senate Majority Caucus Chair Dan Seum, R-Fairdale, the sponsor of SB 210, said during a legislative committee meeting earlier this month that the legislation resulted from a request by Louisville’s mayor, police and prosecutors to address gun violence throughout Kentucky.

Louisville Metro Police Major Billy Hibbs, who specializes in investigating gun-related crimes, supported SB 210 before the committee today.

”What we’re seeing is the same repeat offenders. They’ve been told not to possess a weapon, and they continue to do it,” said Gibbs. “We need this bill.”

SB 210 now goes to the full House for consideration.