Lawmakers pass bill to make Kentucky a '2nd Amendment Sanctuary'; bill now goes to governor

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky lawmakers gave a “2nd Amendment Sanctuary” bill to Gov. Andy Beshear for consideration Wednesday.

House Bill 153, sponsored by Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mt. Vernon, would prohibit local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky from enforcing federal firearm regulations. Similar measures have been found unconstitutional in other states because state laws can't override federal ones. 

It slowly but consistently advanced out of the House and through the Senate over the last several weeks. 

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After debating the bill’s constitutionality and potential impact on law enforcement Wednesday afternoon, the Senate voted 27-9 to approve the bill. Republican Sens. Danny Carroll, David Givens and Chris McDaniel joined the chamber’s six Democrats in voting against the bill.

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Since the Senate did not change the bill from its initial state, it does not need to go back to the House for concurrence and will go straight to Beshear’s desk. Beshear will have 10 days to either sign the bill into law, let it become law without his signature or veto it. 

Lawmakers will meet Thursday before adjourning for the veto period. They will return March 29 and 30 to override vetoes and pass any final bills before ending the 2023 legislative session. 

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.  USA Today Network contributed to this story.