Kentucky would join 17 other states that permit family members and others to petition authorities to remove guns from those deemed a threat under new legislation.
A bipartisan trio of Kentucky lawmakers – including Democratic Sen. Morgan McGarvey, and Republican Sens. Paul Hornback and Julie Raque Adams – is proposing what’s commonly known as a “red flag” law.
The legislators told reporters the bill is not a direct response to the shootings in Ohio and Texas and work on the bill has been underway for more than a year. Adams said, in addition to potentially preventing mass shootings, the bill could also cut down on another type of tragedy.
"We have extremely high rates of suicide," Adams said. "And these types of laws have proven that they decrease suicide."
The legislators argue the law protects against gun violence but does not run afoul of Second Amendment rights.
Democratic Attorney General and candidate for governor Andy Beshear has also come out in favor of red flag laws.
