Isabella Carter
Kentucky is a constitutional carry state, meaning that any US citizen over 21 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply to other states, and a CCDW license is still required to carry a concealed weapon in most states. Kentucky residents visiting other states must comply with the laws of those states regarding the carrying of concealed deadly weapons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry status | Yes |
| Permitless carry status | Yes |
| Open carry status | Yes |
| Concealed carry status | Yes |
| Minimum age for open carry | 18 |
| Minimum age for concealed carry | 21 |
| Training required | Yes |
| Background check required | Yes |
| Out-of-state permit recognition | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky residents can carry concealed deadly weapons in other states, but only if those states don't require a license
- Kentucky residents must follow the laws of other states when carrying a concealed weapon
- Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state
- Kentucky residents must have a valid CCDW license to purchase a firearm without a NICS background check
- Kentucky residents must be at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm without a license
Kentucky residents can carry concealed deadly weapons in other states, but only if those states don't require a license
Kentucky is a constitutional carry state, meaning that any US citizen or person lawfully admitted to the US, over the age of 21, who is eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law, can carry a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon without a license or permit. Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply to other states, and most states still require a CCDW license to carry a concealed weapon. Therefore, Kentucky residents can only carry concealed deadly weapons in other states that do not require a license for any person to carry a concealed weapon.
Kentucky's laws regarding the carrying of concealed deadly weapons do not supersede or limit the laws of any state that prohibits the possession of concealed firearms on private property or state or local government property. Additionally, Kentucky law requires that an applicant for a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon must demonstrate competence with a firearm by successfully completing a firearms safety or training course. The course must include written tests, in-person instruction, and a component of live-fire training. Kentucky licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons are valid for five years from the date of issuance, and the law requires a background check for renewal.
Kentucky also has reciprocity agreements with other states, allowing Kentucky license holders to carry concealed deadly weapons in those states. Conversely, Kentucky recognizes valid licenses from other states, permitting out-of-state carriers to carry concealed deadly weapons within Kentucky. However, it is important to note that carrying a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky without a license is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony involving a deadly weapon, in which case it is a Class D felony.
The right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment, and the Supreme Court has affirmed this right in several cases, including McDonald v. Chicago and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. The latter decision imposed a strict new standard of scrutiny on state-level firearms laws, emphasizing the text, history, and tradition of the Second Amendment.
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Kentucky residents must follow the laws of other states when carrying a concealed weapon
Kentucky is a permitless carry state, meaning that any person aged 21 or over who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, Kentucky residents must follow the laws of other states when carrying a concealed weapon outside of Kentucky.
Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state. Most states still require a Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) license to carry a concealed weapon. Therefore, Kentucky residents wanting to carry a concealed weapon in another state will need to obtain a CCDW license.
CCDW licenses are available to Kentucky residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky, but not to non-residents. Kentucky offers both resident and non-resident licenses, but some states only honor Kentucky resident licenses. It is important to check the laws of the state you are visiting before traveling there with a firearm.
To obtain a CCDW license, an application must be submitted, along with two payments. One payment, of \$20, should be made to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence. The second payment should be a check or money order for \$40, made payable to the "Kentucky State Treasurer". Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of the law regarding the justifiable use of force by including a copy of the concealed carry deadly weapons legal handout, made available by the Department of Criminal Justice Training, and a signed statement indicating that the applicant has read and understands the handout.
Active or honorably discharged service members, and current and retired peace officers and corrections officers, may be exempt from the training requirement. They may submit documentation with their application to "show evidence of handgun qualifications".
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Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state
Kentucky is a shall-issue, permitless carry state, meaning no license is needed to purchase a firearm from a private individual, there is no waiting period, and there is no firearms registration in the state. However, a background check is required if purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Dealer. Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state.
Any person who is eligible to possess a firearm under the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky is permitted to carry a concealed firearm or other concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, without regard to their citizenship or state of residence. This means that Kentucky residents visiting other states are subject to the laws of those states. Only states that require no license for any person to carry a concealed weapon would allow Kentucky residents to carry concealed deadly weapons without a license. The laws of those states may also differ on what weapons may be carried.
Kentucky offers resident and non-resident (military on active duty assigned to a military post in Kentucky) licenses. If indicated with "Resident only", that state only honors Kentucky resident licenses (and not those issued to non-residents).
Although Kentucky has permitless carry, a CCDW license is still useful. It will assist in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provide the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws.
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Kentucky residents must have a valid CCDW license to purchase a firearm without a NICS background check
Kentucky has permitless carry, meaning any person aged 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, a CCDW license is still required to purchase a firearm without a NICS background check.
To obtain a CCDW license, an applicant must meet certain qualifications. They must be a US citizen or a person lawfully admitted to the US, and they must not have been committed to a facility for abuse of a controlled substance or convicted of a related misdemeanor within the previous three years. Additionally, they must not have been convicted two or more times of driving under the influence or involuntarily committed to a hospital for alcoholism within the past three years. Other requirements include not owing child support for a year or more and complying with any subpoenas or warrants relating to child support or paternity proceedings.
Applicants must also demonstrate "competence with a firearm" by completing a firearms safety or training course. This course must be conducted by a certified firearms instructor and include written tests, in-person instruction, and live-fire training. The course must be no longer than eight hours and cover topics such as the safe use, care, and cleaning of handguns, as well as marksmanship principles.
While Kentucky allows permitless carry, there are still restrictions on where concealed deadly weapons can be carried. For example, they are prohibited in police stations, detention facilities, courthouses, schools (without consent), and establishments serving alcohol. Additionally, Kentucky residents carrying concealed deadly weapons in other states must comply with the laws of those states.
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Kentucky residents must be at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm without a license
Kentucky is a constitutional carry state, meaning that its laws do not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns openly or in a concealed manner. Thus, no state permit is required. Kentucky residents and non-residents who are 21 years old or older and are otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed firearms (or any other weapon) without a permit.
Kentucky law requires that an applicant demonstrate "competence with a firearm" by successfully completing a firearms safety or training course. The course must be conducted by a certified firearms instructor and include written tests, in-person instruction, and live-fire training. The course must be no longer than eight hours and include instruction on the safe use, care, and cleaning of handguns, as well as handgun marksmanship principles. The course must also include actual range firing of a handgun and the firing of a minimum number of rounds at a target.
Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply out of state. A CCDW license will also assist in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provide the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. Kentucky licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons are valid for five years from the date of issuance. Kentucky law prevents a license from being renewed without a background check, including a NICS check, and a determination that the applicant is eligible for the license.
Kentucky law also allows a person with a valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon from another state to carry a concealed deadly weapon within the state. Kentucky law requires DSP to enter into written reciprocity agreements with other states so that Kentucky license holders may carry concealed deadly weapons in those states.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kentucky has constitutional carry.
An individual must be at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm in Kentucky.
To obtain a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, an individual must be a US citizen or lawfully admitted to the US, not have been committed to a facility for substance abuse or convicted of a related misdemeanor in the previous three years, not have been convicted two or more times of driving under the influence within the previous three years, not owe a child support arrearage exceeding one year of non-payment, and have complied with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings. In addition, the individual must demonstrate competence with a firearm by successfully completing a firearms safety or training course.
A Kentucky concealed carry license is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Yes, Kentucky law allows individuals with a valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon from another state to carry a concealed weapon in the state.
