RESOLUTION NO. _____, SERIES 2018
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A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 527 BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROHIBIT THE UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A FIREARM.
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SPONSORED BY: PRESIDENT JAMES
WHEREAS, pending in the General Assembly is House Bill 31 that seeks to reduce child-related shootings by making it a crime in Kentucky to leave a gun unsecured around minors;
WHEREAS, it is rare in Kentucky for individuals who do not properly secure firearms to be prosecuted after an accidental child shooting involving an unsecured firearm, despite at least 36 children being shot - 15 fatally - in the preceding five years;
WHEREAS, under the legislation, improper firearm storage would be a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $250 fine, if a minor gains access to a weapon improperly stored by the owner, and would increase to a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $500 fine, if a minor uses the weapon and it results in injury or death to the minor or another person; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Council believes the creation of criminal penalties for unlawful storage of firearms is an important step towards curbing gun violence in Louisville Metro.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (“THE COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Council urges the Kentucky General Assembly to pass House Bill 31 that creates a new section to KRS 527 to prohibit the unlawful storage of a firearm.
SECTION II: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
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_______________________________ H. Stephen Ott Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David James President of the Council |
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_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
R-031-18 Firearms Safety Resolution 021418.docx