For five sessions now, we’ve been pushing for CARR to become law. While I am disappointed in the outcome of this session, I think it is important to remain optimistic about our efforts together. I also think it is appropriate to hold space for when our best efforts come up short.

 As I shared in my remarks last Friday in the Capitol Rotunda, “disappointment” didn’t capture it. After all, we are talking about the loss of life, the deaths of two Kentuckians every single day due to gun violence. I am devastated that our Kentucky Legislature let another year go by without the passage of meaningful legislation to ensure individuals in crisis do not have access to firearms.

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, my friend and one of the chief architects of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, reminds us, in moments like these, that the great social movements in the history books were not deterred by setbacks because they were confident in the righteousness of their cause. These movements understood that setbacks are a predicate to success, not a reason to pack up and go home. 

Supporters, we too are confident in the righteousness of our cause and we are not going home.  CARR will become Kentucky law and it will be because of you and your consistent actions for change. The history books will recall the change we made together in this state, igniting a wave of change in similar states across the country.

As I look back over this session, I am so very proud and energized by what we accomplished together. In the first four years of this legislative effort, I felt as if we moved 5% toward our goal. In this fifth year, we leaped 25% toward our goal. It will never be soon enough, but the momentum toward our goal this year is so meaningful.

Let me share with you our “top ten” achievements for the 2024 Legislative Session:

1. Survivors showed up in droves to support CARR. While sharing your story is difficult at any time, I want to pay special thanks to the Old National Bank families and survivors who made their presence and wishes known regularly in Frankfort. Your trauma wasn’t even a year old before you raised your hand to support this policy. Your advocacy mattered and I am so grateful.

2. We secured our second interim hearing in four years and, thanks to you, we filled one overflow room and nearly a second! Supporters, this doesn’t happen. Overflow rooms are not used regularly. I am so proud of our efforts and know the volume did not go unnoticed by lawmakers.

3. Kentuckians support CARR and we have the data to prove it! This year Whitney/Strong worked with renowned Pollster Robert Blizzard of UpONE Insights to poll Kentucky Republican Primary voters on support for CARR and found that nearly 75% support CARR. Click here to see the polling memo revealed in our press conference from Friday April 12.

4. 2024 was the year of CARR Champions. Champions like former Kentucky State Police Commissioner, Chief Rick Sanders, joined the effort in a multitude of ways including letter writing, witness testimony, meetings with lawmakers, and more. Thank you to EVERY champion who bravely agreed to use their influence for good.

5. Thoughtful opinion pieces in support of CARR circulated throughout the Commonwealth, including pieces from Missy Jenkins-Smith of the Heath High School Shooting in 1997; Jason Hall of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky; and former Kentucky Republican Party Chair Mac Brown.

6. Together, we broke 1,000 signatures of support for CARR! Kentuckians hailing from more than 40 counties signed the petition, reminding lawmakers that their constituents support this effort.

7. Our most impactful CARR Capitol Day yet! With over 90 participants and 45 meetings with lawmakers, our voices for change were multiplied throughout the Capitol Annex.  

8. Once again, Whitney/Strong is the only organization in the country that filed a bill restricting access to firearms with bipartisan sponsorship. I am so proud of the statement we make on the importance of seeking common ground and uniting around a shared goal of saving lives.

9. A huge shout out must go to our 2024 CARR Sponsor, Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County. From his efforts to secure our interim hearing to his consistent lobbying of peers to his powerful floor speech on Friday April 12, his courage has been on display all session. THANK YOU to Senator Westerfield for carrying our bill so well.

10. Last but not least, the power of YOU. When the bill was unexpectedly assigned to the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (VMAPP) Committee, we had to quickly pivot away from our years-long work of lobbying Judiciary Committee members to engaging an entirely new crop of committee members in cities like Somerset, Owensboro, Elizabethtown, Verona, and Bowling Green. We put out the call and you answered! Within weeks we had secured supporters in nearly all of the key districts to meet with their lawmakers in Frankfort. We have come a long way in five years and it is all because of you!

We know that passing legislation is a marathon, not a sprint. After this session, I know we have the numbers and the power to pass this bill together. The Commonwealth is activated. Our work together to save lives is righteous, and no number of setbacks will come between us and ultimate success. I look forward to the passage of CARR together. Believe change will come.

Whitney Austin

Executive Director & Co-founder