By Larry Z for Guns America
A veto out of Kentucky is drawing serious pushback from gun rights advocates.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is calling Gov. Andy Beshear’s rejection of House Bill 312 a major misstep, arguing it strips young adults of their ability to defend themselves.
At the center of the fight is a simple question: Should 18- to 20-year-olds be allowed to carry for self-defense?
HB 312 would have created a provisional concealed carry license for that age group, giving young adults (who can already vote, serve in the military, and sign contracts) the legal ability to carry a handgun in public.
But Beshear vetoed it. And CCRKBA isn’t holding back.
Chairman Alan Gottlieb called the move “a direct attack on young adults.” He argued that it leaves many (particularly young women) more vulnerable in situations where they may need protection.
He also pushed back on what he described as a broader pattern of denying rights to younger Americans, pointing out that many in this age group are already taking on adult responsibilities, from military service to starting families.
Another flashpoint in the response is how the veto is being framed.
Some coverage has tied Beshear’s decision to the 2023 Old National Bank shooting. But CCRKBA argues that the connection doesn’t hold up. As the attacker in that case was older than the group impacted by the bill.
Instead, the organization says the policy ends up restricting law-abiding young adults, rather than addressing the individuals actually committing violent crimes. Now, attention shifts to the Kentucky legislature.
Lawmakers could move to override the veto when they reconvene, setting up a potential showdown over both the bill itself and the broader question of where Second Amendment rights begin for younger adults.
For now, though, the takeaway is clear: A bill aimed at expanding carry rights is off the table for the moment.
Read in its entirety at gunsamerica.com.
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