# Kentucky leaders ceremonially sign concealed carry, firearm liability bills  
**Published:** 2026-05-12T19:03:14Z  
**Source:** Kentucky House Majority Caucus (press release, emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-leaders-ceremonially-sign-concealed-carry-firearm-liability-bills

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](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb312.html), sponsored by State Representative Savannah Maddox of Dry Ridge, [creates a provisional concealed carry license for adults ages 18 to 20](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/kentucky-overrides-governor-s-veto-lowers-concealed-carry-age-to-18-44827765), a change that [made Kentucky the 26th state to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed firearms legally](https://guncarrier.com/ccw-age-laws-by-state-what-kentucky-s-veto/). 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](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb78/bill.pdf), 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](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1923106). 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](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1923106).

"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](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/kentucky-overrides-governor-s-veto-lowers-concealed-carry-age-to-18-44827765). [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](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/kentucky-overrides-governor-s-veto-lowers-concealed-carry-age-to-18-44827765).

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."](https://www.forwardky.com/the-cravenness-of-kentucky-house-bill-78/)

## Sources

- [Kentucky House Bill 312 text](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb312.html)
- [The Firearm Blog - Kentucky Overrides Governor's Veto, Lowers Concealed Carry Age to 18](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/kentucky-overrides-governor-s-veto-lowers-concealed-carry-age-to-18-44827765)
- [Gun Carrier - CCW Age Laws 2026: The Essential Guide to Carrying Legally](https://guncarrier.com/ccw-age-laws-by-state-what-kentucky-s-veto/)
- [BillTrack50 - KY HB78 Details](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1923106)
- [Kentucky House Bill 78 text](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb78/bill.pdf)
- [Forward Ky - The cravenness of Kentucky House Bill 78](https://www.forwardky.com/the-cravenness-of-kentucky-house-bill-78/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) from a press release emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news by Kentucky House Majority Caucus, enriched with 3 web searches.