FRANKFORT—Off-duty and retired law enforcement officers could carry concealed firearms anywhere that on-duty law enforcement officers carry firearms under legislation that has passed the Kentucky House.
House Bill 314 sponsor Rep. Steve Riggs, D-Louisville, said the bill affirms current law allowing Kentucky law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms whether or not they are on-duty officers, retired officers, or off-duty officers authorized by their employer to carry concealed firearms.
“This legislation, or something like it, already exists in KRS 527. But we have to move it to this particular section (of KRS Chapter 237) to make it very clear that we intend our law enforcement officers, when they are off-duty or retired, have the ability to carry weapons that they’re trained to use and protect themselves, protect the public, and protect their family,” said Riggs.
Riggs introduced the legislation after learning that off-duty officers were stopped from carrying concealed firearms into a Louisville Palace event. Police officers in Louisville are required to carry their weapons both on and off duty, said Riggs.
HB 314, which is also sponsored by Rep. Charles Miller, D-Louisville, passed by a vote of 87-2 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. The bill would take effect immediately should it become law.