Permitless concealed carry bill passes house

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Soon, Kentuckians could be able to carry a concealed gun without a permit. Senate Bill 150 passed in the House of Representatives Friday. It already passed in the Senate.

Republican representative Savannah Maddox of Dry Ridge, gave a passionate endorsement of Senate Bill 150, a conceal carry bill, which means no training, no permit, to carry a gun.

“Law abiding citizens should not, particularly those over the age of 21 under these conditions, have to ask permission from our government and pay recurrent fees to be able to exercise our Second Amendment rights,” said Maddox.

Anita Franklin, a mother who lost her son to gun violence, wasn’t happy to see the bill pass the house 60-37.

“Why are you fixing something that’s not broken? You know, to me, it’s a step back, not a step up, and there are far more other issues out there that we should be addressing,” said Franklin.

The bill was endorsed by the NRA, but opposed by the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police.

Seth Dix, owner of Semper Fi Firearms, is indifferent on the issue, but does have some concerns since he believes concealed carry classes are important.

“If someone’s willing to go through the course, which is not about you demonstrating you understand how to use it, it’s more so about the law, and the responsibilities of carrying a concealed weapon,” said Dix.

The bill now goes to Governor Matt Bevin, who has said he will sign it into law.