FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams on Tuesday ceremonially signed two pro-Second Amendment bills into law during an event that drew constitutional rights advocates and state lawmakers.

House Bill 312, sponsored by State Representative Savannah Maddox of Dry Ridge, creates a provisional concealed carry license for adults ages 18 to 20, a change that made Kentucky the 26th state to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed firearms legally. The provisional license carries the same requirements as a standard permit: background check, safety training, and firearm proficiency testing.

"This measure recognizes that many responsible young adults already legally vote, sign contracts, join the military, serve in combat, start a family, own a business, and work in law enforcement fields, yet under current law, these adults are prohibited from carrying a firearm concealed for self-defense," Maddox said in a statement. "This creates a dangerous inconsistency."

House Bill 78, sponsored by State Representative TJ Roberts of Burlington, establishes liability protections for firearm and ammunition manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations involved in the lawful production and sale of firearms. The measure prevents these entities from being held liable for damages caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of their products by third parties, aligning Kentucky law with longstanding federal protections enacted with bipartisan support in 2005.

"Criminals who break the law in Kentucky must be held solely responsible for their actions," Roberts said in a statement. "HB 78 will bring the Commonwealth's law in line with federal standards and ensure that businesses operating responsibly are protected from politically motivated lawsuits."

The legislature overrode Governor Andy Beshear's vetoes of both bills on April 14, 2026. The House voted 81 to 18 on HB 312 and the Senate voted 28 to 9, while HB 78 passed the House 80-19 and the Senate 31-6.

Some legislative Democrats opposed the measures. Rep. Lindsey Burke said she wished lawmakers "spent more time on protecting people from gun violence, and less time on protecting the people who manufacture the guns."