Gun advocates are asking Gov. Steve Beshear to stop requiring people who bring concealed weapons in the Capitol to wear red stickers.

The Kentucky Concealed-Carry Coalition sent a letter to the
governor on Wednesday objecting to the identifying stickers, saying
they demonize people who are legally packing guns.

Kentucky has seen a surge in people carrying guns into the
Capitol, a legal activity here and in at least 10 other states, but
one that is worrisome to critics.

State police documented 53 instances in which visitors carried
guns into the Capitol between Jan. 1 and March 31, more than twice
the number that had been brought inside in the previous year and a
half, a review by The Associated Press found.

The governor's office had no immediate comment.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)