Committee approves concealed carry for young adults January 21, 2026 Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, advocates for House Bill 312 before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The legislation would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a provisional concealed carry license. A high-res ver sion can be found here. FRANKFORT — In Kentucky, 18- to 20-year-olds can possess a firearm, but cannot obtain a concealed carry license. House Bill 312 seeks to change that. Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, is the primary sponsor of the legislation. She was joined by primary co-sponsor Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon, to testify on the bill during Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee meeting. “Right now, in Kentucky, citizens who are 18, 19, or 20 years old can legally vote. They can sign contracts. They can join the military, serve in combat, start a family, own a business and possess a firearm,” Maddox said. “Yet, currently under the law, these same adults are prohibited from carrying that same firearm concealed for self-defense.” Under the proposed legislation, Kentucky State Police would be permitted to issue a provisional concealed carry firearm or other deadly weapons license to an 18- to 20-year-old. Young adults would be required to undergo a background check and complete firearms training in order to qualify. Maddox said HB 312 will “expand the ability of law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to keep and bear arms.” If passed, Kentucky would join 25 other states that allow law-abiding citizens between the ages of 18 and 20 to conceal carry a firearm for self-defense purposes, she added. “Our Second Amendment is clear: The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, and 18- to 20-year-olds are very much apart of the people,” Maddox said. Bray told the committee he agrees with Maddox’s statements on the bill. Most of the committee members shared their thoughts on the bill while explaining his or her vote. House Minority Caucus Chair Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, voted “no” on HB 312 due to concerns over young adults using firearms in suicide. “I’m not even thinking about accidents or using the firearm against someone else,” she said. “I think about the young people who go to college or trade school or out into the community and they kill themselves. I don’t want these kids to have an easier time getting a gun.” Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, also expressed concerns over young adults having access to firearms. Maddox said the bill wouldn’t change access, only the ability for individuals to carry in a concealed manner. Several other lawmakers shared they support the bill because it requires firearm safety training. Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, R-Taylor Mill, said she voted in favor of the legislation because she believes anytime the general assembly considers a bill on firearms, it should include provisions on safety and training. House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, said HB 312 is “a responsible approach.” He believes the bill is supported by the Kentucky Constitution and that the required firearms training would protect young people instead of leading to more harm. “I hope (the bill) makes it through to the finish line to protect our young folks and to educate them on how to use firearms,” Nemes said. HB 312 advanced from the House Judiciary Committee by a 15-3 vote. It will now go before the full House for consideration. The post Committee approves concealed carry for young adults appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less