Representative Jeff Donohue (D) has proposed a bill banning "assault weapons" in Kentucky. These Laws are not only detrimental to law abiding citizens, but also unconstitutional and a violation of our 2nd Amendment Rights of the United States of America. The proposed bill will classify an "Assault Weapon" as the following;

1) A semiautomatic rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one (1) of the following characteristics:

a. A folding or telescoping stock;

b. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;

c. A second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the nontrigger hand;

d. A thumbhole stock;

e. A suppressor, flash suppressor, muzzle break, muzzle compensator, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle break, or muzzle compensator; or

f. A grenade launcher.

These classifications also extend to shotguns and handguns.

After the effective date of this bill, a law abiding citizen will be found guilty of possession or transfer of a "large-capacity ammunition feeding device" (magazine) when;

(a) Possesses a large-capacity ammunition-feeding device;

(b) Transfers a large-capacity ammunition-feeding device to another person, except as provided in subsections (4)(c) and (d) of this section.

Possession or transfer of a large-capacity ammunition-feeding device is a Class A misdemeanor.

This section shall not apply to a person who is:

(a) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or the National Guard; or

(b) A law enforcement officer as defined in KRS 15.310.

After the effective date of this bill, a law abiding citizen must;

(a) Remove the large-capacity ammunition-feeding device from the state;

(b) Render the large-capacity ammunition-feeding device permanently inoperable;

(c) Sell the large-capacity ammunition-feeding device to a federally licensed firearms dealer; or

(d) Transfer the large-capacity ammunition-feeding device to law enforcement.

If still in possession of these weapons or magazines you will be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor.

This bill also makes it to where your firearm must be "permanently inoperable"

As used in this section, "permanently inoperable" means that the assault weapon is altered in such a manner that it cannot be fired and that the owner or possessor of the firearm does not possess or have control over the parts necessary to make the firearm operable; and

2. As used in this section, "temporarily inoperable" means that when the assault weapon is not in the direct control of the registered owner, it is stored using an integrated design feature or attachable accessory that will prevent the use of the weapon by an unauthorized user. This means that even if you were to take the firing pin out of your rifle, it is still considered operable if you have said firing pin still located inside your home.

You must now register your weapons in Kentucky within 1 year (currently no registration is required by the state).

a. Register with the Department of Kentucky State Police as the certified owner of each assault weapon that the person elects to continue to possess; and

b. Store the weapon with devices which render the weapon temporarily inoperable, in accordance with subsection (2) of this section;

Transfer the assault weapon to any person lawfully entitled to own or possess the firearm;

Transfer the assault weapon to the Department of Kentucky State Police buyback program in accordance with subsection (3) of this section; or Render the assault weapon permanently inoperable.

Kentucky State Police will offer a buyback program that will be funded by registrations fees of weapons.

237.104 Rights to acquire, carry, and use deadly weapons not to be impaired -- Seizure of deadly weapons prohibited -- Application of section.

No person, unit of government, or governmental organization shall, during a period of disaster or emergency as specified in KRS Chapter 39A or at any other time, have the right to revoke, suspend, limit the use of, or otherwise impair the validity of the right of any person to purchase, transfer, loan, own, possess, carry, or use a firearm, firearm part, ammunition, ammunition component, or any deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

(2) No person, unit of government, or governmental organization shall, during a period of disaster or emergency as specified in KRS Chapter 39A or at any other time, take, seize, confiscate, or impound a firearm, firearm part, ammunition, ammunition component, or any deadly weapon or dangerous instrument from any person.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the taking of an item specified in subsection (1) or (2) of this section from a person who is:

(a) Forbidden to possess a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040;

(b) Forbidden to possess a firearm pursuant to federal law;

(c) Violating KRS 527.020;

(d) In possession of a stolen firearm;

(e) Using a firearm in the commission of a separate criminal offense; or

(f) Using a firearm or other weapon in the commission of an offense under KRS Chapter 150.

Effective: July 12, 2006

History: Created 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 240, sec. 7, effective July 12, 2006.

This Bill is Unconstitutional

This bill is unconstitutional and a render of the safety of law abiding citizens through out the state of Kentucky. The 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution reads; "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." The United States Constitution restricts legislative bodies from prohibiting firearm possession, or at the very least, the Amendment renders prohibitory and restrictive regulation presumptively unconstitutional. The 2nd Amendment allows citizens of the United States to defend themselves against criminals and against government tyranny.

Safety of Citizens against tyranny by means of Disarming Citizens by Government.

In 2012 Venezuela banned their citizens from possessing firearms and ammunition similar to the Red Flag Laws we see today. Under the new law only Military and Police are allowed to own them. Disarming law abiding citizens is a dangerous act that allows greater power to the government. Crime in Venezuela has multiplied since these laws have taken place. The violent crime rate, already high, soared. Almost 28,000 people were murdered in 2015 – with the homicide rate becoming the world’s highest. Within the past few years Venezuela military are law enforcement have killed thousands of citizens who have protested their laws and tried defending their rights. These same gun control laws were used in Nazi Germany against their own citizens.

IT'S YOUR RIGHT

Kentucky has always been a supportive state for firearms. Just this past year we became one of the many states to support the right of "Constitutional Carry" allowing law abiding citizens to conceal carry weapons across the whole state. Kentucky is ranked one of the top states in the US for gun ownership. It is your constitutional right as an American to be able to process and own a firearm. It is your right to have the means necessary to defend yourself and your family against evil and criminals. Criminals don't care about laws and bills, these bills only effect law abiding citizens. No matter what bills are brought forward, crime rates are always going to be there. The only thing that will change is your capability to defend yourself, and you having your own rights given to you at birth by this Nation, TAKEN AWAY.

DO YOUR PART BY SIGNING/SHARING THIS PETITION!

KEEP KENTUCKY SAFE!