Suit Challenges Kentucky Law Barring Non-Citizens From Concealed Weapons

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A British national who has lived in Kentucky for 15 years is challenging a state law than bars non-citizens from carrying concealed deadly weapons.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit on Wednesday on behalf of Alexander M. Say, who contends Kentucky lawmakers should not have passed such a law last year.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Louisville, challenges the citizenship requirement.

"The federal government controls whether foreign citizens may live in the United States and on what terms," said Jack Harrison, the attorney representing Say.

Harrison said no federal laws require U.S. citizenship for people to be licensed to purchase, carry, transport, or carry a concealed deadly weapon.

"Kentuckys law discriminates against people who are lawful permanent residents," he said.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction barring the Kentucky State Police and Jefferson County Sheriff's Department - the two entities that would have to approve Say's license application - from enforcing the citizenship requirement.

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