Bill

Bill > HB116


KY HB116

KY HB116
AN ACT relating to firearms and declaring an emergency.


summary

Introduced
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 237 to define "assault weapon," "large capacity ammunition feeding device," and "seller of ammunition"; require background checks for private firearms sales; require reporting to law enforcement of firearm and ammunition thefts and losses; require the safe storage of firearms; require the Department of Kentucky State Police to promulgate administrative regulations relating to the licensing of persons to possess handguns and assault weapons, the registration of handguns and assault weapons, and the logging of firearms and ammunition sales effective January 1, 2027; amend KRS 237.990 to establish penalties; create a new section of KRS Chapter 527 to establish the offense of criminal purchase or transfer of a weapon as a Class D felony; amend KRS 395.250 to require an estate's inventory to list each firearm; amend KRS 403.735 to require judges, when issuing an order of protection, to consider whether a person against whom the order is entered should be prohibited from possessing a firearm; amend KRS 456.050 to require judges, when issuing an interpersonal protective order, to consider whether a person against whom the order is entered should be prohibited from possessing a firearm; amend KRS 504.030 to require judges in criminal cases where a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity to demand the surrender of the defendant's firearms; amend KRS 506.080 to add that the offense of facilitation includes assistance in providing firearms; amend KRS 508.020 to include physical injury to a minor by virtue of the intentional discharge of a firearm within the offense of assault in the second degree; amend KRS 527.040 to require that the sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm be served consecutively to any other felony sentence; amend KRS 527.070 to include postsecondary education facilities within the existing ban on firearms in schools; amend KRS 532.030 to require the judge pronouncing a defendant guilty but mentally ill to demand the surrender of the person's firearms; amend KRS 65.1591, 237.104, 237.115, and 532.025 to conform; repeal KRS 65.870, relating to the prohibition of local firearm control ordinances; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027; EMERGENCY.

AI Summary

This bill, effective immediately with some provisions taking effect January 1, 2027, introduces significant changes to firearm and ammunition regulations in Kentucky. It defines "assault weapon" and "large capacity ammunition feeding device" (a magazine or similar item holding more than seven rounds), and "seller of ammunition" (anyone in the business of selling ammunition). The bill mandates background checks for private firearm sales, requires reporting of firearm and ammunition thefts to law enforcement, and mandates safe storage of firearms. Crucially, it requires the Department of Kentucky State Police to create regulations for licensing individuals to possess handguns and assault weapons, registering these firearms, and logging firearm and ammunition sales, with these regulations becoming effective in 2027. The bill also establishes penalties for various firearm-related offenses, including criminal purchase or transfer of a weapon as a felony, and requires firearms to be listed in estate inventories. Furthermore, judges are now required to consider prohibiting individuals from possessing firearms when issuing orders of protection or interpersonal protective orders, and must order the surrender of firearms from defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity or guilty but mentally ill. The bill also expands the ban on firearms in schools to include postsecondary education facilities and mandates that sentences for felons possessing firearms be served consecutively to other felony sentences. Finally, it repeals a law prohibiting local firearm control ordinances.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

to Judiciary (H) (on 01/14/2026)

bill text


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