Louisville decides not to obey Kentucky laws

It's Kentucky Derby time again, time for festivities and activities, balloon races and mini-marathons and for the great fireworks and aviation show called "Thunder Over Louisville". But in a stunning show of sheer gall, Louisville's rulers have decided that they are a law unto themselves.

Kentucky has a law that says that only the General Assembly may make laws relating to firearms, what's called our preemption law. But Louisville's Metro council doesn't care.
Anther law states that no unit of government may ban CCDW in the open areas of parks. That doesn't concern mayor Jerry Abrams and his happy band of gun-haters.
Kentucky's constitution plainly says that you may carry firearms openly about your person, with few restrictions and none that relate to this situation. Louisville seems to be making up their own constitution.
Why are we saying this?
Read what's here on the "Thunder Over Louisville" web page about what you can and can't bring into the Derby festival area along the waterfront - http://www.thunderoverlouisville.org/frequently-asked-questions.html -

What can't I bring to Thunder Over Louisville?

For safety reasons the following are not permitted in the event area, which goes south from the Ohio River to Main Street between Clay Street and 10th
Street:

No Tents

No cans or bottles are allowed at the event site. Plastic bottles and food are permitted. There is also plenty of food and soft drink stands to take care of any needs you may have. Beer is available at the Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park and the Belvedere Beer Garden.

No alcoholic beverages are allowed.

No bikes, skateboards or skates are allowed in the event venue. You will be asked to walk them in for pedestrian safety.

No firearms are allowed.

Please leave any pets at home.

Due to increased security - all persons and parcels are subject to search.


So, by decree of the Metro council, they have announced that they have suspended your rights for an area extending 15 blocks east-to-west, and 3 blocks north-to-south!
In blatant violation of the laws and constitution of Kentucky, the Louisville Metro county government has revoked the right to self-defense - and will be searching you at random to enforce their decree!

We were just apprised of this outrage today and have already started the effort to reverse it. Check back here for updates on the situation.
In the meantime, take advantage of the contact page on the Kentucky Derby Festival web site here to get in touch with them, but be warned the email link for info@kdf.org on that page doesn't appear to work so you might have to call them. You can use these addresses to reach their media contact people - aboyd@kdf.org and mshallcross@kdf.org - which ought to shake them up a bit. Please tell them that you won't be spending your money at the Derby or any related events as long as this policy is in place.
They got away with this in the past. We're going to do our best to see to it that it ends now.