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HB 78KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState BillBecame law over the governor's veto

Enacted

Kentucky grants firearms manufacturers and sellers broad civil liability protections

Original title: AN ACT relating to firearms liability protections and declaring an emergency.

Last action · April 14, 2026: received in House to Rules (H) taken from Rules posted for consideration of Governor's veto veto overridden passed 80-19 received in Senate to Rules (S) posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto veto overridden passed 31-6 received in House enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 177)Sponsors: T.J. Roberts and 10 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky restricts civil lawsuits against firearms and ammunition manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations for crimes committed with their products, effective immediately upon becoming law. The measure bars s while establishing narrow statutory exceptions for , specific federal gun law violations, and product defects. It also permits defendants to file expedited special motions for dismissal and allows them to sue plaintiffs for damages and attorney fees if an unlawful claim is pursued.

Why it matters

Plaintiffs injured by the criminal misuse of firearms lose the ability to sue manufacturers or sellers under general public nuisance or consumer protection laws, while firearm businesses gain the right to recover legal costs and damages from parties filing prohibited lawsuits.

Background

The measure responds to federal protections established under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) by enacting state-level statutory definitions and procedural safeguards. context
The bill was enacted after the General Assembly successfully voted to override a gubernatorial veto on April 14, 2026. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Firearms manufacturers and sellers

They receive statutory immunity from civil lawsuits arising from the criminal misuse of their products and gain the right to seek damages and attorney fees against improper claimants.

Directly affected

Civil litigants and plaintiffs

They are barred from bringing certain civil actions and administrative proceedings against firearms industry members unless their claims fall within specific statutory exceptions.

Directly affected

Kentucky Attorney General

The office is granted explicit authority to enforce the provisions, intervene in related civil actions, and issue guidance.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still sue a gun manufacturer if a firearm had a manufacturing defect?

Yes. The law explicitly allows claims for death, physical injuries, or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture when lawfully used as intended.

Can a city or local government pass an ordinance holding gun stores liable for crimes?

No. The act expressly preempts any local statutes, laws, or regulations that attempt to impose civil liability on manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations for criminal misuse of their products.

What happens if someone files a lawsuit that violates these new immunity protections?

The defendant manufacturer or seller may file a special motion for dismissal or summary judgment within 45 days and can initiate a separate civil action to recover actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Became law over the governor's veto.

Procedural history

15 actions

Apr 14, 2026House
received in House to Rules (H) taken from Rules posted for consideration of Governor's veto veto overridden passed 80-19 received in Senate to Rules (S) posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto veto overridden passed 31-6 received in House enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 177)
Apr 3, 2026House
Vetoed
Mar 31, 2026HouseEnrolled
posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) House concurred in Committee Substitute (1) passed 76-16 enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
Mar 27, 2026HouseCommittee
received in House to Rules (H)
Mar 26, 2026HouseFloor
reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) taken from Rules placed in the Orders of the Day 3rd reading, passed 32-6 with Committee Substitute (1)
Mar 25, 2026SenateFloor
taken from Judiciary (S) 2nd reading returned to Judiciary (S)

Show 9 earlier actions

Mar 24, 2026SenateCommittee
taken from Judiciary (S) 1st reading returned to Judiciary (S)
Mar 19, 2026SenateCommittee
to Judiciary (S)
Mar 18, 2026SenateIntroduced
received in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
Mar 17, 2026HouseFloor
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute 3rd reading, passed 75-17 with Committee Substitute (1)
Mar 13, 2026House
posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 16 2026
Mar 12, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules
Mar 11, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
to Judiciary (H)
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

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