With Virginia’s frantic slide into the Second Amendment abyss, it is refreshing to note that one of its close colleagues stood up to the governor and defended the right to keep and bear arms.
After Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) vetoed a pair of bills intended to enhance constitutional freedoms, the legislature sprang into action.
On Tuesday, lawmakers corrected course and overrode Beshear on HB 78, a measure to further shield the weapons industry from frivolous lawfare and litigation. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the industry trade group, praised the overwhelming response to the governor’s veto pen.
Anti-gunners seek to litigate the 2A industry out of existence
Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel, lauded political leaders for strengthening Second Amendment freedoms in the state.
In particular, he praised HB 78 and its stand against actions intended to destroy the weapons industry.
“Kentucky’s legislators are standing with the rule of law, and this veto override corrects the wrong Governor Beshear set in motion when he vetoed this commonsense legislation,” Keane declared. “Governor Beshear acknowledged when he vetoed this bill that this legislation would prevent frivolous and harassing lawsuits for violence committed by criminals.”
Legislators left no doubt that they supported gun rights
Sponsored by state Rep. T.J. Roberts (R), the “Protection Lawful Commerce in Arms (PLCAA) Clarification Act of 2026” enhances protections established by the original PLCAA some two decades ago.
Though it sailed through the House and Senate, Beshear’s anti-gun stance loomed over the effort to pass HB 78.
No matter. The Kentucky House of Representatives overrode the veto with an 80-19 tally while the Senate rebuked the governor 31-6. Going forward, the state will protect the firearms and ammunition industries from lawsuits stemming from illegal third-party acts.
Even Beshear in his veto acknowledged that punishing Second Amendment-related businesses for the actions of criminal third parties is silly. “Members of the firearm industry are no more responsible for the actions of criminals than Kentucky’s bourbon distillers are responsible for drunk driving deaths.”
With gun rights supporters holding the overwhelming majority in both chambers, state Sen. President Robert Stivers (R) told reporters after Tuesday’s success that lawmaking is the legislature’s responsibility.
“We set policy,” the victorious Stivers declared. “(The governor) has had very limited influence on this. It’s been the way it’s been for his whole term, both terms. He has little or no influence on the policy of the state of Kentucky.”
The NSSF noted that it is “deeply grateful to the Kentucky legislators who voted to override the governor’s veto for their principled stand to hold criminals responsible for their crimes.”
Pro-gun state leaders also overrode HB 312, which lowered the age for concealed carry in the state to 18. This aligns with the fact that all law-abiding adults should enjoy the Constitution’s protection as part of “the people.”
The National Rifle Association (NRA) also thanked Kentucky lawmakers for standing up to anti-2A forces. “NRA thanks lead sponsors T.J. Roberts, Wade Williams, Savannah Maddox, and Josh Bray, all legislators who supported these bills throughout the session, and all NRA members and fellow Second Amendment advocates who engaged with legislators this session.”
Elections have consequences, and there are multiple battlegrounds nationwide in which gun rights enjoyed for centuries are under attack. The freedom to keep and bear arms is at best a patchwork quilt from state to state.
That’s why it is critical to support Second Amendment organizations. As gun owners go through their everyday lives, these stalwarts fight in courtrooms and legislative chambers everywhere to defend fundamental liberties that all upstanding Americans should enjoy.
There’s no better way to show your patriotism than with merch that speaks before you do.
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