Some Democratic lawmakers want the legislature to allow Lexington and Louisville to pass gun control ordinances to help curb gun violence in the cities. State law currently bans cities from passing gun control measures.
Kentucky’s two largest cities have both reported upticks in gun violence and shooting deaths this year. Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas filed the bill to allow Lexington and Louisville to pass their own gun laws after the accidental shooting of 15-year-old Trinity Gay, daughter of Olympic track star and Lexington native Tyson Gay.
“Something has to be done to stop this. And my bill gives communities like Louisville and Lexington the opportunity to address this rampant and senseless gun violence.”
Over the years, legislators have passed several laws banning local governments from passing any type of law regulating guns or gun accessories.
The bill has little support among Republican lawmakers who now control both legislative chambers and the governor’s office for the first time in state history.
