LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A bill headed to Governor Beshear’s desk would lower Kentucky’s concealed carry age from 21 to 18, drawing mixed reactions even from those in the firearms industry. House Bill 312 is under scrutiny following a triple shooting Wednesday evening that killed two people in the Algonquin neighborhood. Police say the murder suspect is a 13-year-old boy. Joe Jarles owns Everything Concealed Carry in Jeffersontown. He sees the logic behind the change but has reservations. “On one hand, a guy or a young lady is able to serve their country — they’re able to join the military and carry a gun there. But they can’t carry a gun in the state of Kentucky concealed,” Jarles said. But Jarles said he does have concerns about House Bill 312. “It’s a lot of responsibility for an 18-year-old mind to make that decision on when it’s necessary to take deadly force to protect yourself,” Jarles said. Louisville Metro Councilman Ken Herndon said HB 312 moves things in the wrong direction and worries about how easily guns can move from older teens to younger ones. “15-year-olds, 16-year-olds hang out with 18-year-olds all the time. They’re all in high school together. And they’ve got one — readily available. It just increases the access to kids,” Herndon said. Herndon has been pushing for a separate measure he calls “Kids Over Guns,” urging the state to give Louisville more local control over gun laws. A metro council member worries that if the bill is signed into law, the city’s growing youth violence problem could grow. Jarles said criminals don’t follow the law regardless of what it says. “If they have malicious intent or criminal intent, they’re not concerned about whether or not they’re breaking the law by concealing the gun,” Jarles said. Kentucky has long allowed adults to carry firearms openly, but concealing one has required a license, and you have to be 21 to get it. House Bill 312 changes that, dropping the minimum age to 18. The bill is headed to Governor Beshear’s desk. He could veto it, but with Republican supermajorities in both chambers, an override is possible. Herndon said he’ll keep pushing back. “We’ve incrementally gone in the wrong direction in my view with guns — and we need to incrementally move back,” Herndon said. The debate surrounding House Bill 312 reflects broader concerns over youth violence and the accessibility of firearms to younger individuals. As violent incidents involving youth continue to make headlines, Kentucky’s potential change in concealed carry law has sparked significant discussions within both the firearms community and the general public. Advocates for the bill argue that if young adults can serve in the military and handle firearms there, they should have the right to do so in their own state. Opponents worry that this law could exacerbate youth violence and lead to more firearms ending up in the hands of even younger individuals. Within the context of ongoing youth violence, which has risen dramatically in various urban areas across the U.S., the implications of such a law could influence not only local perceptions of safety but also the operational methodologies of law enforcement and community organizations tasked with mitigating violence. Research indicates a correlation between access to firearms and increased incidents of violence, particularly among young individuals. The potential for a law that would lower the age of concealed carry raises questions about how to responsibly manage this balance between rights and safety. As stakeholders from various spheres weigh in on this matter, the discourse surrounding House Bill 312 will likely continue, reflecting both local and national sentiments about gun rights, youth safety, and the role of legislation in regulating these complex issues. ShoQ's Take: The ongoing debate around House Bill 312 reveals critical insights into the intersection of youth rights and public safety. While it's known that the bill could empower young adults to defend themselves, concerns about its impact on youth violence remain prominent. What's unclear is the potential outcome of Governor Beshear's decision against the backdrop of increasing incidents involving youth and firearms. This situation underscores the foundational need for a balanced approach that ensures rights are upheld while navigating the pressing challenges of safety and responsibility.