Kentucky’s New Gun Safety Bill Targets Parents Who Leave Guns Unsecured

In Kentucky, a new bill could soon make it a misdemeanor for parents to leave guns unsecured where children can easily access them. Known as House Bill 120, or the Baby Dre Gun Safety Act—named after an 8-year-old boy who was accidentally shot and killed at a Louisville barbecue—this proposal aims to prevent tragic accidents involving children and firearms. Despite the heartbreaking need for better gun safety laws, similar versions of this bill have been introduced in Kentucky over the past decade without ever making it out of committee or getting a vote.

What the Bill Proposes

Under HB 120, if a parent or guardian recklessly leaves a gun unsecured in a home or vehicle, and a child gains access to it, the responsible adult would face a Class B misdemeanor. This offense could lead to up to 90 days in jail. The punishment becomes even more severe—a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail—if a child uses the unsecured firearm to hurt or kill someone, even if the injury is accidental.

There is an important detail in the bill: the charges would only apply if the child who finds the gun lives with the owner or is a guest invited onto the premises. In other words, if a child breaks into a home or vehicle and steals the gun, the owner would not be charged. The focus is on situations where parents or guardians have a duty of care for the children in their household.

The Urgency for Gun Safety

The issue of unsecured guns in homes is a critical one. Every year in Kentucky, dozens of children are injured or killed in accidental shootings. A 2017 report by the Herald-Leader noted that at least 36 Kentucky children were accidentally shot in the previous five years, with 15 of those incidents resulting in fatalities. These tragic events underscore the importance of having strong gun safety laws that hold parents accountable for how they store their firearms.

Gun safety advocates argue that simple measures such as using gun safes or trigger locks can prevent many of these heartbreaking accidents. Kathi Crowe from Lexington, a member of Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, explains that many parents wrongly assume that their children will not find their loaded guns. Unfortunately, children are naturally curious and can easily disobey instructions. “It is horrible and tragic. When a parent keeps a gun under the mattress, you know, what do they think is going to happen?” Crowe said. “Until the parents are held accountable, it will keep on going.”

Past Tragedies and the Need for Action

There have been several heartbreaking incidents in Kentucky that highlight the need for stricter gun storage laws. For instance, in 2015, a 5-year-old boy in Highland Heights found his mother’s .38-caliber revolver, which was loaded with hollow-point rounds, while she was napping. The boy accidentally shot his 2-year-old sister in the head, causing serious injury. In another tragic case, a 5-year-old accidentally fatally shot his 2-year-old sister with a .22-caliber rifle. These cases, though deemed “accidents,” reveal a pattern of neglect regarding the safe storage of firearms.

The Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel released a 2024 report that counted at least 79 gun-related deaths and injuries to children between 2019 and 2023. These incidents include suicides, accidental shootings, and shootings by caretakers. The panel stressed that many of these tragedies could have been prevented if firearms were stored securely. They urged the General Assembly to explore legislative strategies that encourage safe storage and hold parents accountable when they fail to protect their children.

Political Roadblocks and Legislative History

Despite the clear need for stricter gun safety laws, similar versions of HB 120 have repeatedly stalled in the Kentucky General Assembly. Over the past decade, the bill has been filed several times but has never progressed to a committee hearing or a vote. Lawmakers from the Republican-controlled legislature have shown strong resistance to any restrictions that might be viewed as gun control. State Rep. George Brown Jr., the sponsor of HB 120 and a Democrat from Lexington, argues that the bill is not anti-gun but is instead about promoting responsible gun ownership.

“It’s not anti-gun. It’s about gun safety,” Brown said in an interview. “When the next child gets hurt… responsible gun ownership is what needs to happen. Thoughts and prayers are fine, but that’s not enough when people die.” However, Brown and other supporters of the bill face an uphill battle, as many in the legislature oppose any measures that could be seen as restricting gun rights.

A spokeswoman for House Republican leadership did not immediately comment on the bill’s likely fate this session. The political environment in Kentucky remains deeply divided over gun issues. While some lawmakers support measures to protect children, others argue that such laws infringe upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners. This partisan divide has made it difficult for any meaningful gun safety legislation to pass in recent years.

Public Opinion and Advocacy

The public has shown growing concern over gun safety, especially in light of repeated tragedies involving children. Recent polls indicate that a significant number of Kentuckians support measures that hold parents accountable for unsafe gun storage. Many advocacy groups, including Moms Demand Action and local gun safety activists, are working tirelessly to push for reforms.

One poignant example comes from the family of “Baby Dre” (Andre O’Neal Jr.), an 8-year-old boy who was accidentally shot and killed at a Louisville barbecue. His death has become a rallying cry for gun safety advocates who believe that more needs to be done to protect children. His story, along with others, has been repeatedly cited by supporters of HB 120 as evidence of the urgent need for legislative action.

Luther Brown, a Louisville gun safety activist who initially pushed for these kinds of reforms before his untimely death in 2021, once highlighted the dangers of unsecured guns. He noted that sometimes it is not the criminals, but the negligence of parents that leads to tragic outcomes. His passionate calls for safe storage measures continue to inspire gun safety advocates across the state.

Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

One of the main arguments against HB 120 comes from those who believe that such measures are an infringement on Second Amendment rights. However, supporters of the bill maintain that the issue is not about limiting gun ownership but about ensuring that gun owners take responsibility for how they store their firearms. The bill is designed to punish negligence rather than the act of owning a gun.

In practice, safe storage laws have been effective in preventing accidents. Gun safes, trigger locks, and other safety devices are widely available and can drastically reduce the risk of accidental shootings. The debate, therefore, is not about banning guns but about encouraging responsible practices that can save lives.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Gun Safety Legislation in Kentucky

The fate of HB 120 remains uncertain. With repeated attempts to pass similar legislation in the past, many supporters fear that the current legislative session may not bring the change they hope for. The Republican-controlled legislature has a long history of resisting gun control measures, and this bill faces significant opposition.

Nevertheless, the pressure from advocacy groups and the public continues to mount. Each tragic incident involving a child and an unsecured firearm reinforces the urgent need for stricter laws. If the legislature does not act, many fear that more lives will be lost and that the cycle of tragedy will continue.

Some lawmakers have suggested that rather than focusing solely on punitive measures, there should also be a strong emphasis on education and prevention. Programs that teach safe gun storage and responsible ownership could be part of a comprehensive approach to reducing accidental shootings. Such measures, coupled with accountability laws like HB 120, could help create a safer environment for all Kentuckians.

Conclusion

The proposed HB 120, known as the Baby Dre Gun Safety Act, seeks to address a critical issue in Kentucky: the dangerous practice of leaving firearms unsecured in homes and vehicles where children can easily access them. Despite a long history of similar bills being stalled in the legislature, the need for action is more urgent than ever. With dozens of children killed or injured in accidental shootings over recent years, the argument for holding parents accountable for safe gun storage is compelling.

Supporters of the bill emphasize that it is not about restricting gun rights but about promoting responsible gun ownership and preventing needless tragedies. Critics, however, worry that such measures may infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners and become entangled in partisan politics. The debate highlights a fundamental question: How do we balance the right to own a firearm with the responsibility to keep our children safe?

As Kentucky continues to grapple with this issue, it remains to be seen whether HB 120 will make it out of committee and be given a vote. For now, the bill stands as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to protect children from preventable gun-related accidents—a struggle that touches the lives of countless families across the state.

Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.

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