Sunday, March 20, 2011

Legislation to Restore Gun Rights and a Compartment-Carry Bill Signed into Law by Governor Beshear

Governor Steve Beshear signed into law two pro-gun bills. House Bill 308, with an NRA-supported amendment, will provide a pathway to restoring gun rights. House Bill 313 will allow for concealed carry in a vehicle’s installed compartment.

House Bill 308, sponsored by state Representative Bob Damron (D-39), will implement the federal NICS Improvements Amendments Act of 2007 by enabling persons who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health-related commitment or adjudication to petition a court to have them restored. Before granting a petition, the court will have to find that the person is not likely to act in a manner that is dangerous to public safety and that granting the requested relief would not be contrary to the public interest. This bill will ensure that people who can safely and responsibly possess firearms are not unnecessarily deprived of their rights.

House Bill 313, sponsored by state Representative Will Coursey (D-6), will allow an individual to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in an enclosed compartment originally installed by the manufacturer in a motor vehicle. The firearm will not be considered a concealed firearm under state law and the occupant will not need a concealed carry permit to transport a firearm in this manner. Previous law required a firearm to be stored in a glove compartment even though some vehicles do not come with one factory-installed.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their elected officials in support HB 308 and HB 313!

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