Kentucky Republicans send Second Amendment sanctuary bill to governor's desk

The Kentucky Senate approved a measure this week that would bar state and local law enforcement from enforcing any federal bans on firearms and their related accessories.

The upper chamber approved the measure in a 27-9 vote, The Hill reported. The state House gave its approval, 78-19, in February and the legislation now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. It is unclear whether he intends to sign it into law, though Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the legislature, as Ballotpedia notes.

Such a law would not only bar law enforcement from aiding the enforcement of federal firearms, accessories, or ammunition bans, but also prohibit the use of state funds more broadly for such endeavors.

Kentucky, should it enact the measure, would join other largely Republican-led states in enacting Second Amendment sanctuary laws. Second Amendment advocacy group Gun Owners of America currently identifies ten states, most in the South and Midwest, as having sanctuary laws it rates as either "gold" or "silver."

President Joe Biden announced an executive order this month to expand the use of background checks during gun sales.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.