LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two bills will go into effect July 15 in Kentucky that make the mother of a Louisville homicide victim uneasy.
House Bill 312 bill lowers the conceal to carry age from 21 to 18, and House Bill 422 creates harsher sentences for violent offenders.
Krista Gwynn has been fighting for tougher punishment for violent criminals and more gun laws since her son was murdered in 2019. Christian Gwynn was shot and killed by Jameko Hayden, a man he didn't know. Hayden took an alpha plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter in Gwynn's death and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Hayden was only sentenced 10 years but took some classes in prison to reduce his sentence. He's also eligible for the state's mandatory reentry supervision program.
"He'll be out in March of 2027," Gwynn said. "So, he didn't even do half of the time for taking my child's life. Nothing fair about that."
The program makes it a requirement for some inmates to be released six months before their sentence ends under supervision conditions. The amended legislation makes any violent offender who has been previously convicted of two or more violent crimes ineligible for the program.
"Quit cutting them short," Gwynn said Thursday, referencing what she sees as a pattern of early releases from violent offenders.
She's happy to see the change but said violent offenders shouldn't be allowed to be released under any circumstances. That's where she feels HB 422 doesn't go far enough.
When the bill was originally proposed, it also included language that would require violent offenders serving life sentences to serve at least 30 years of their sentence before being eligible for parole. Bu that language was removed before the bill was signed into law.
Gwynn said she feels like anyone who kills someone shouldn't receive a sentence less than 35 years.
The bill also reforms the statute on an insanity plea and creates and requires a treating professional to petition for a defendant who is found guilty but mentally ill to be involuntarily hospitalized after serving their sentence if the professional believes further treatment is necessary.
Gwynn said she would like to see this bill create stricter implications for violent offenders.
She also takes issue with HB 312, which lowers the age to carry a concealed gun or weapon from 21 to 18. Legislators said the bill further protects gun rights. Gwynn disagrees.
"It sounds like they are confused and disoriented," Gwynn said. "You're going to tell me that an 18-year-old can carry a gun?
"Ya'll just asking for it. Ya'll are literally just asking for our kids to be scared to go anywhere now."
State Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, who sponsored HB 312 said it makes sense for 18-year-olds to have the same rights as other adults.
"In Kentucky, citizens who are 18, 19 or 20 years old can legally vote," she said. "They can sign contracts. They can join the military, serve in combat, start a family (and) own a business."
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