Tagged: gun control

Hoping to reduce gun violence in Kentucky, two Democratic lawmakers have filed a bill  that would allow Kentucky State Police to set regulations banning certain firearms or high-capacity magazines.

The bill, which state Sen. Kathy Stein plans to file in the Senate on Thursday, would also allow cities and colleges to ban guns and would require private background checks  for every gun sale in Kentucky.

Stein, a Democrat from Lexington, said she's not seeking to infringe on Second Amendment rights from the U.S. Constitution.

"We value the Second Amendment," Stein said. " We recognize that there are very legitimate uses people have for guns, for sporting, for hunting and yes, for self-protection."

The bill's supporters say they are optimistic for a hearing in the short 2013 General Assembly session.

The National Rifle Association is returning to Louisville for its national convention in 2016.

The event is expected to draw more than 70,000 visitors as well as national politicians and pundits during that presidential election year.

The NRA held its 2008 convention in Louisville. That was also an election year and the convention heard speeches from John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Karl Rove.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is questioning whether Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid, really want to see gun control legislation pass this year.

Politico reports McConnell, a Republican from Louisville, said it was "unclear yet as to whether the majority leader wants to bring a gun measure to the floor."

Reid dismissed the notion, saying a gun bill will come out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Reid wouldn't say whether or not he supports an assault weapons ban proposed by California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein.