Bill to allow concealed carry without a permit awaits state House approval

BOWLING GREEN Ky.- The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would allow people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training. The State House has received the bill, but it has not yet advanced.

Senate Bill 150, backed by the National Rifle Association passed the Senate Thursday with a 29 to 8 vote.

Sherwood’s Guns in Bowling Green offers concealed carry classes. Owner Sherwood Davis said the need for classes on concealed carrying wouldn’t stop completely, even if the bill did pass. This is due to the fact that other states around Kentucky that have reciprocity agreements would still require a permit for gun owners to carry a concealed weapon.

“I think it would reduce the numbers. Simply the fact that we’re what..20 miles from Tennessee, and a lot of us end up in Tennessee on a regular basis. I think that people would still feel the need for a permit. There’s also people who use it as an introduction to firearms,” Davis said.

The concealed carry laws also bring revenue to the state and concealed carrying instructor Jerry Corbitt doesn’t think the bill will end up passing for that reason.

“I can’t see the state losing the revenue and resources they gain from the classes, the cost of the license, renewal fee, and things like that,” Corbitt said.