The reason I support this legislation is because as humans, we adapt to our surroundings. It is time for change, and I believe this bill will change our lives for the better. My brother, Josh Barrick, was one of the 5 murdered on April 10th during the Old National massacre in Louisville Kentucky. Josh simply went to work the day after spending a week with his beloved family and friends on Spring Break. We never saw him again. Josh was a person that lit up the room when he entered it--full of fun, humor, and light. This tragedy has darkened our lives forever. We all miss him so much.

Gun violence in Kentucky is tearing lives apart. One side blames mental health, while the other blames guns for these senseless tragedies. Let’s come together and address both with this bill that truly makes sense. It allows family and friends the ability to remove the firearms from an individual who is suffering from a mental health crisis so they can get the help they need before a tragedy ensues.

My wife is a preschool teacher whose school was on heightened security for an extended period because of an individual who was suffering from a suspected mental health crisis. Teachers and parents were in fear another tragedy would occur. We shouldn’t have to be afraid to go to work or send our kids to school. We can address these issues before they become a senseless tragedy and the CARR Act will prevent families from having to have one less person at the dinner table. While this will certainly not bring my brother back, it will allow families across Kentucky to keep that seat filled.