Kentucky lawmakers consider lowering concealed carry age from 21 to 18 years old

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some Kentucky lawmakers want to extend concealed carry rights to 18-year-old residents.

Right now in Kentucky, you must be 21 years old to carry a concealed weapon. Senate Bill 75 would lower the age minimum to 18. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, who said it makes sense to lower the minimum age, because, when someone turns 18, they are considered an adult. So Reed believes they should have the same rights as 21-year-old adults.

"Self-defense is not a privilege. It is a fundamental right," Reed said Thursday during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to consider the bill. "This is not a radical idea. It is a common sense correction."

Kentucky lawmakers debate proposed concealed carry bill — Pictured: Kentucky lawmakers at a Senate Judiciary Committee listen to arguments for Senate Bill 75, which would lower the minimum age to lawfully carry a concealed weapon to 18 instead of 21. (WDRB image)

However, those against the bill worry it's a dangerous move.

Cathy Hobart, a gun violence prevention advocate who attended Thursday's meeting, disagrees.

"If you put more guns into more young people's hands, more of them will die and more of them will kill," she said. "Vote 'No.'"

While the bill had the approval of Senate President Robert Stivers, it didn't pass unanimously in committee, with Republican Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, voting against it.

"I think it's important to note that I personally do not see anything to gain by passing this bill, and that's from 24 years of law enforcement officer," Carroll said. "My entire adult life as a law enforcement officer, I was trained regularly to know how and when to shoot that gun. The idea of people carrying a concealed weapon who may not even know how to shoot that weapon is terrifying."

Sen. Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, declined to cast a vote. He said he would be more interested in the bill if a firearm training was required.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for a vote before it can go to the House.

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