Firearms freedom bills supported by Rep. Nelson set to become law

Special to the Enterprise

Legislation supported by Rep. Rick Nelson and firearms rights advocates will become state law on July 12.

House Bill 484 and House Bill 500 – both co-sponsored by Nelson — were among the top priorities for gun rights supporters during the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2012 session.

House Bill 484 expands the state’s concealed weapons laws so that Kentuckians can carry concealed weapons on their own property or at a business they own without a concealed carry permit.

House Bill 500 strengthens efforts to prevent local governments from passing firearms ordinances that are more restrictive than state law. State statutes already place limits on local government attempts to regulate ownership and possession of firearms. The new statute will ensure that the limitation on local government also helps prevent local regulation of the manufacture, sale, purchase, taxation, and storage of firearms, ammunition and firearms accessories.

“Kentuckians have a proud heritage of supporting the right to bear arms,” said Nelson. “I’m pleased that I was able to work with supporters of our nations’ 2^nd amendment to strengthen firearms freedoms during the General Assembly’s 2012 session.”

House Bill 484 and House Bill 500 were both approved by lawmakers in March and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear in April. Supporters of the legislation joined Gov. Beshear at the State Capitol on July 10 to celebrate the legislation in a ceremonial bill signing event.