Kentucky’s legislature is considering a bill that would hold parents responsible for their juvenile child committing a crime involving the discharge of a firearm. Modeled after similar laws for property crimes and motor vehicle accidents, this bill would require parents to pay up to $2,500 in fines for their children defacing property. The law would also hold parents liable for damages caused by their minor child with a gun, imputing negligence or willful misconduct to the parents for civil damages caused by the minor’s actions.
State Rep. Kim Banta, the sponsor of the bill, clarified that her legislation is not intended to restrict gun sales or enact gun control measures. Instead, she aims to make parents aware of their responsibilities and the need to exercise caution in overseeing their children’s actions. The bill would consider factors such as whether the parent allowed the child to have a gun, previous gun law violations, or signs of potential violence in determining parental liability for damages caused by a minor with a firearm.
Banta highlighted a recent case in Kentucky where a group of 15-year-olds got into a dispute over drugs, resulting in one youth retrieving a gun and shooting two others. She emphasized that minors do not have the same decision-making abilities as adults and should not have unsupervised access to firearms. Foster parents would be exempt from the proposed law, according to Murray State University’s NPR affiliate. The bill is set to be presented in January and could potentially pass through committee and reach Governor Andrew Beshear’s desk for approval.
Governor Beshear, a Democrat, has not yet commented on the bill, but both legislative chambers in Frankfort are held by Republican majorities. If the bill progresses to a committee vote, there is a high likelihood that it will proceed to a full floor vote. Banta’s bill underscores the importance of parental responsibility in preventing juvenile crime involving firearms and ensuring the safety of communities. By holding parents accountable for their children’s actions, lawmakers aim to reduce gun-related violence and promote safer communities in Kentucky.
Overall, the legislation proposed by State Rep. Kim Banta seeks to raise awareness among parents about the risks associated with minors possessing firearms and emphasizes the importance of proper supervision and caution. By introducing financial penalties for parents of juveniles involved in firearm-related crimes, the bill aims to deter such offenses and promote responsible parenting. The bill would consider factors such as the parent’s awareness of their child’s behavior, allowing parents to take proactive measures to prevent gun violence. If passed into law, this bill could have a significant impact on reducing juvenile gun-related crimes in Kentucky.
