In recent years, gun violence has increased across Kentucky, with 870 gun-related deaths this year. This alarming fact calls for new ways to protect communities. One promising effort, the Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention (CARR) Bill was introduced in 2022. This bill, if implemented, would provide a legal way to temporarily remove firearms from those in crisis before they harm themselves or others.

Whitney Austin, co-founder of “Whitney Strong,” a gun violence prevention group, knows firsthand the impact of gun violence and the lack of safety precautions surrounding it. On Sept. 6, 2018, Austin was shot twelve times in a mass shooting at the Fifth Third office in downtown Cincinnati. The shooter was experiencing a severe crisis, a crisis that Austin believes the CARR bill could have helped prevent. 

“Had this law existed, it is possible that the shooting could have been prevented,” Austin said.

Austin has become a lead sponsor of the bill, inspired by her survival and her desire to prevent the same thing from happening to others. She explains that Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention (CARR) provides a legal path to temporarily separate someone in crisis from their firearms. 

“When someone is intent upon harming themselves or others, there are often warning signs. CARR allows for someone to recognize those warning signs, press pause, and get the person the help they need,” Austin said.

The bill targets a key issue: Kentucky’s gun-related deaths are mostly suicides.

“64% of gun deaths in Kentucky are suicide so it is most likely to be used to prevent suicide by firearm. However, keep in mind most mass shooters are always suicidal,” Austin said. 

Currently, there are no options for transferring firearms away from people in crisis. The only option is to commit someone in a mental health facility. CARR provides an alternative, one that does not force commitment but interferes early to prevent something from happening.

The bill aims to reduce firearm suicides, mass shootings, and other forms of gun violence. 

“Through research we know similar laws have been effective at reducing suicide. We expect the same in Kentucky, along with preventing mass violence,” Austin said. 

She emphasized the urgency.

“543 people died to firearm suicide in Kentucky in 2023. If we reduce suicide by the number we’ve seen in other states (a minimum of 6%), that’s at least 33 people. Each one of those people have a family and friends who love them. Saving even just one is worthwhile.”

Austin also explained that friends and family approach law enforcement to pursue a CARR order. Additionally, if the burden is met through the court, your loved one will be separated from a firearm and put on a path for support. 

“All of this happens without forced commitment,” Austin said.

Despite strong support, the bill has not passed yet. Kentucky is a state that values the Second Amendment and Austin described that any policy solution must make sure to protect it. Every year it has bi-partisan support, but it never makes it to the floor for a hearing.

However, there has been some recent clarity regarding the constitutionality of the bill. The U.S vs. Rahimi case showed that implementing it is feasible. The case focused on a federal statute making it a crime for a person to have a gun while under a court-issued domestic violence protective order. The court ruled that when a court has found an individual to be a credible threat to the physical safety of another person, that individual may be temporarily disarmed in a way that doesn’t violate the Second Amendment. 

“With the recent U.S. vs. Rahimi decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, we now know CARR and other laws like it are constitutional. We believe CARR is right for Kentucky,” Austin said.

During this long process, Austin and others had to make many compromises. The bill includes many provisions that were added specifically to make lawmakers more comfortable with it. 

“This is the nature of passing legislation. You never get everything you want,” Austin said. 

She also described efforts to address those in opposition to the bill. “We continue to educate the opposition on the constitutionality of the bill, the lives it would impact, and the broad swath of support for it across Kentucky. Nearly 75% of Registered Republicans are in support of CARR per our polling,” Austin said. Despite the challenges, Austin hopes that sharing her story and educating people about gun violence will help the bill gain more support. 

Austin has dedicated her career and life to pushing for change on this issue, and she is determined to see this CARR bill become law. 

At Highlands High School, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Kerry Conley, has been an important advocate. Friends with Whitney Austin and supporter of the cause, Conley has made it a priority to get others involved and help get the bill passed. 

The bill has been in development for six years, and has gone through multiple cycles. Austin has been helped along by experts in law enforcement, mental health, policy, and more. 

“My network is filled with people who want to see CARR passed. They bend over backwards to connect me to subject matter experts across the state who want to help with its passage,” Austin said

Once passed, its success will be measured by its usage and impact.

“To be successful law enforcement needs to become an expert in using the tool. Our courts need to become experts. The public at large needs to be educated on warning signs and where to go when someone needs help,” Austin said. 

Looking ahead, refiling is a step forward with the CARR bill, providing a new way to stop gun violence before it happens or escalates. While there is still more to do, this law shows a growing effort and dedication to keeping people safe.