Keep gun permit rule

I am a gun guy. I grew up playing with toy guns. In college I took a course that, upon my successful completion, made me an NRA pistol, rifle and shotgun instructor. I went into law enforcement as a career and shot competitively for my agency and eventually became a trained firearms instructor. To this day, I am an avid hunter.

Having said that, I was surprised that a bill in the Kentucky legislature would remove the permit requirement for carrying a concealed weapon. The bill in question was up for a Senate committee hearing this month. A group of concerned citizens, including me, traveled to Frankfort to show opposition to the bill and provide on-the-record input.

The only bill not addressed during the committee meeting was the concealed carry bill. Fortunately, the talking points that were to be presented before the committee were forwarded to the respective committee members. It is unsure if the talking points will actually become part of the official record.

I have always considered the training requirements for receiving a concealed carry permit in Kentucky to be woefully inadequate. At the same time, people are calling for concealed carry permit holders to be allowed to carry on school property. Hopefully responsible elected officials will do the right thing.

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 8:43 PM with the headline "Keep gun permit rule."