LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bob Irvine submitted the following letter to WHAS11 News.
Irvine and his wife are longtime friends of Old National Bank Senior VP Tommy Elliott. Elliott was killed in the mass shooting at the bank on April 10.
The Irvines are the godparents to two of Elliott's daughters.
He has spent many years in public relations, leading Humana's effort during the trailblazing artificial heart program and then founding his own business, The Institute for Crisis Management, which he sold in 2014. You can reach Bob Irvine via email: bobirvine@mac.com
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The Kentucky legislature has a 22-caliber mentality when it comes to gun-related issues. In fact, Everytown Policy and Research says Kentucky’s gun laws are among the worst in the country.
There’s a reason for that. The legislature wastes its time on LGBTQ issues, and which nouns and pronouns to use in schools, instead of reducing homicides throughout the Commonwealth.
For example, Kentucky law 16.220 Public Auction of Confiscated Firearms says the state police will auction off firearms used in crimes to gun dealers, and use the money for weapons, ammunition, body armor and paraphernalia.
That’s ridiculous! They may be auctioned off to gun dealers, but some of those firearms will end up in the hands of criminals who’ll use them the same way as before. And there’s money in the state budget for law enforcement equipment.
Any gun that’s confiscated should be sold to a steel mill and melted down; the money should go to those who were shot, or their families if they were killed. But that’s not going to happen as long as the NRA and gun lobby have the legislature in a headlock. The only way is if thousands of Kentuckians demand it.
The legislature needs to know, on no uncertain terms, that Law 16.220 Public Auction of Confiscated Firearms must be abolished and you can let them know with emails to Robert Stivers, senate president (Robert.Stivers@lrc.gov) and David Osborne, speaker of the house, (David.Osborne@lrc.gov). And include Governor Andy Beshear and Mayor Craig Greenberg. I know how maddening this law is to them in trying to reduce gun violence.
“Is there anything we can do?” I’m sure the families have heard it thousands of times since the massacre at Old National Bank. Yes, there’s something we can do that will tell them we care and as a tribute to their loved ones. Contact those legislators.
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