The president of the National Association for Gun Rights praised Governor Matt Bevin in the Capitol's State Reception Room on Wednesday.
"In recognition of what gun owners all know - is that you're the best governor in America," said Dudley Brown, President of NAGR, as he handed Gov. Bevin the ".50 Caliber Freedom Award."
"It's rare that I get the chance to give awards to elected officials," said Dudley. "I think we've given 15 of these awards around the country and it's even more rare - in fact, it's never happened - that we've given an award to a member of the executive branch."
Gov. Bevin and two state lawmakers, Rep. Savannah Maddox and Sen. Brandon Smith, were given the award for their support and work on Senate Bill 150.
Kentucky law already allowed people to openly carry a gun without a permit. Senate Bill 150, which is now the Constitutional Carry law, got rid of the permit requirement for concealed guns as well.
While accepting the award, Gov. Bevin made it clear that as long as he's running the state, he will protect gun rights.
"The 27 simple words of the Second Amendment are as clear as they can possibly be," said Bevin. "Our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
The governor used the award to bring up his debate answer on Tuesday. That's where he told a northern Kentucky crowd that he would not allow a ban on assault rifles.
"You can poo-poo all you want, but the reality is, it is an evil person who kills people, not the weapon," said Bevin at the debate. "They can do it with a knife. They can do it with a gun. They can do it with a vehicle."
His opponent, Andy Beshear, also told the debate crowd that he doesn't believe a ban is right for Kentucky. However, he said he does support a "Red Flag" law.
"It protects the Second Amendment, but it also allows a family or law enforcement to go to the courts - that provide someone due process - and make sure that when we know that person is about to murder tens, dozens, or more people - that we can step in and do something about it," said Beshear.
