State lawmakers introduce bill to reduce gun violence

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) –  Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives Monday introduced a measure proposing comprehensive action to reduce gun violence.

“Young people in states across the nation, including Kentucky, are speaking out on the need to be kept safe,” said Rep. George Brown Jr., D- Lexington, the sponsor of the legislation, House Bill 502. “This bill listens to their voices and offers solutions to stop gun violence.”

Co-sponsors of the bill include: Reps. Jim Wayne, D-Louisville; Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville; Jeffery Donohue, D-Louisville; Joni Jenkins, D-Shively; and Kelly Flood, D-Lexington.

The bill includes provisions to allow local governments to regulate firearms, prohibit guns from college campuses, prohibit the sale of bump stocks, and implement licensing of gun owners and registration of firearm and ammunition.

If approved by lawmakers, the legislation will:

-Include colleges and universities within the existing ban on firearms in schools.

-Prohibit sales of bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire faster.

-Require the safe storage of firearms through the use of gun locks or safes if children could have access to the weapons.

-Require a judge when issuing an order of protection to consider whether a person against whom the order is entered should be prohibited from possessing a firearm.

-Require judges in criminal cases where a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity to demand the surrender of the defendant’s firearms since these persons are barred by law from possessing a firearm.

-Include physical injury to a minor of the intentional discharge of a firearm within the offense of assault in the second degree. This would cover the innocent child hit by the stray bullet from a drive-by shooting.

-Create the offense of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon to cover those who provide or dispose of weapons for persons such as felons who are prohibited from having a firearm to begin with.

-Require the judge pronouncing a defendant guilty but mentally ill to demand the surrender of the person’s firearms.

-Require the State Police to promulgate administrative regulations relating to the licensing of persons to possess firearms and assault weapons, the registration of firearms and assault weapons, and the logging of firearms and ammunition sales.

-Allow local governments to implement firearm regulations, such as prohibiting guns in libraries or city council meetings.

“The tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, is a heartbreaking reminder states must do a better job of protecting our children,” said Rep. Jenkins. “In growing numbers, people are coming together behind proposals to stop the killing.”

“Schools should be a safe place where kids can focus on learning rather than fearing for their safety,” said Rep. Marzian. “Colleges and universities and among the places where we should clearly say that guns are not welcome.”

Rep. Donohue noted that the legislation’s call to ban bump stocks would help prevent mass killings like the one in Las Vegas last year.

Rep. Flood said better efforts are needed to keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill individuals.

“There’s wide agreement that we need to prevent mentally ill people like the Parkland shooter from having easy access to deadly weapons,” she said.

Rep. Wayne urged citizens to call lawmakers in support of the bill.

“We can take sensible steps to prevent mass killings while also safeguarding the 2^nd Amendment,” said Rep. Wayne. “This bill gives us a chance to protect gun owners’ rights while also recognizing the rights of children and citizens across the state to live free of the terror of senseless mass shootings.”