Rules on what can be brought into Kentucky statehouse under review

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s Capitol are being evaluated, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday.

But the Democratic governor said any changes by his administration won’t restrict the ability to bring guns into the statehouse, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

“We believe that the rules right now, if followed, are appropriate, at least as it comes to firearms, which are constitutionally protected,” Beshear said. “We need to take a look back at some other rules that have been put into place, whether they’re about umbrellas or other issues.”

Weirdest thing about guns in the Kentucky Capitol: if you have one, you’re told to walk around the metal detector. Others must pass through and get wanded. pic.twitter.com/Oqxl9hvl0I

— Joe Gerth (@Joe_Gerth) January 31, 2020

Umbrellas are not allowed in the Capitol under current rules, but anyone can openly carry a gun so long as they legally possess the firearm, except in the Supreme Court chambers, the House and Senate chambers and the House and Senate gallery.

Those rules have come under scrutiny after gun-rights activists wearing camouflage walked around the Capitol carrying guns one day last week. One photo showed a group of men lifting their guns above their heads and another showed men carrying guns while wearing ski masks over their faces.

Gun rights activists carrying semi-automatic firearms walk through the Capitol Building on January 31, 2020 in Frankfort, Kentucky. ?: @woolstonphoto pic.twitter.com/YCGHNtTJNS

— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) January 31, 2020

Beshear said security rules prohibit wearing masks inside the Capitol and require handguns to be holstered and rifles to be hanging.