Attorney General Kathy Jennings released the following statement Friday in response to the House, Senate, and Governor’s commitment to pass Senate Bill 2, legislation creating a permit to purchase handguns, when the legislature reconvenes in January:

“Hard things are hard; this is no exception. All of us — not only me, but the sponsors and advocates — have fought for this bill for five years, and will not stop fighting until it’s done, because we know it will save lives.

“States with permit to purchase laws have on average a 25% lower gun homicide rate, a 50% lower gun suicide rate, and reduce gun trafficking by 75%. It is the single most impactful gun safety policy available to us — and at a time when guns have become the leading cause of death for children, our constituents expect us to get it done.

“Tonight we have a commitment from the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House to pass this bill in January. I applaud that commitment — and I will be there to see this home, along with everyone who has stood shoulder to shoulder over the last five years.”

Print