Simone Lawson
Kentucky's gun laws allow for both open and concealed carry of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns. While the state previously required a Concealed Deadly Weapons License (CDWL) for concealed carry, permitless carry was introduced in 2019. Now, any person over 21 who is eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law may carry a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon without a license. However, a CDWL is still available and provides certain benefits, such as assisting in weapons purchases and providing training. Additionally, the laws governing the carry of concealed deadly weapons by Kentucky residents visiting other states are governed by the laws of those states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State law | Kentucky law allows a person who has a valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon from another state to carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky. |
| Permit requirement | Kentucky's permitless carry laws allow anyone over 21 and eligible to possess a firearm to carry a concealed firearm without a license. However, a CCDW license is required for carrying a concealed weapon in other states and for purchasing firearms from licensed dealers. |
| Training requirement | Training is required for a CCDW license. Active or honorably discharged service members, current and retired peace officers, and corrections officers may be exempt. |
| Age requirement | Applicants must be at least 21 years old, although persons under 21 may be eligible to possess a firearm. |
| Residency requirement | Applicants must be residents of Kentucky for at least 6 months prior to applying for a CCDW license (except for military personnel). |
| Citizenship requirement | Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted to the U.S. |
| Background check | A NICS background check is required for purchasing firearms and renewing a CCDW license. |
| Renewal process | CCDW licenses are valid for 5 years and can be renewed up to 6 months after expiration. |
| Prohibited locations | Concealed carry is prohibited in schools, police stations, courthouses, daycare centers, businesses selling alcohol, and other locations specified by federal and state laws. |
| Preemption | Kentucky law prevents local governments from restricting concealed carry in "facilities renting or leasing housing." Private employers can restrict concealed weapons in employer-owned vehicles, while public employers can restrict carry within their buildings. |
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What You'll Learn
Kentucky's permitless carry laws
To obtain a concealed carry license in Kentucky, an applicant must meet certain qualifications. They must be a US citizen or lawfully admitted to the US, not have been committed for substance abuse or convicted of a related misdemeanour in the last three years, not have been convicted of two or more DUIs or committed for alcoholism treatment in the last three years, not owe child support arrearage of one year or more, and have complied with any subpoenas or warrants relating to child support or paternity proceedings.
The applicant must also complete a firearms safety or training course that covers the safe use of handguns, care and cleaning of handguns, and handgun marksmanship principles. The course must include actual range firing of a handgun, with no more than 20 rounds fired at a full-size silhouette target, at least 11 of which must hit the silhouette. The applicant 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 and a signed statement indicating they have read and understood the handout.
Kentucky licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons are valid for five years from the date of issuance. Licenses cannot be renewed without a background check, including a NICS check, and a determination that the applicant is eligible for the license. Licenses cannot be renewed more than six months after their expiration date; after this, the license is deemed permanently expired and the licensee must reapply.
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Concealed carry permits
Kentucky allows the open carry and concealed carry of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns. The state's gun laws do not require the registration of firearms, and no license is needed for shotguns or rifles. However, for handguns, a license is required for concealed carry.
Kentucky's concealed carry law, set forth in KRS § 237.110, allows the carry of concealed "deadly weapons," which includes a wide array of weapons beyond guns, such as knives, clubs, blackjacks, nunchaku, shuriken, and brass knuckles. The definition of a "deadly weapon" is outlined in KRS § 500.080.
On March 11, 2019, Governor Matt Bevin signed Senate Bill 150 into law, eliminating the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky. As a result, any person aged 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm under state and federal law may carry a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon without a license in the same locations as those with a valid Kentucky CCDW license. This change in law brought Kentucky in line with "shall-issue" states, where a permit is not required for concealed carry.
Despite this, Kentucky still offers CCDW licenses, and there are benefits to obtaining one. A CCDW license can serve as a substitute for a NICS background check when purchasing a firearm, making the process more streamlined. It also provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws, which can be particularly useful when travelling with firearms to other states. Most states continue to require a CCDW license for concealed carry, and Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state.
To obtain a CCDW license in Kentucky, applicants must meet certain qualifications and demonstrate knowledge of the law regarding the justifiable use of force. The application process includes submitting a copy of a concealed carry deadly weapons legal handout and a signed statement indicating the applicant's understanding. Training exemptions are available for active or honorably discharged service members, current and retired peace officers, and corrections officers.
Kentucky also recognises valid carry concealed weapons licenses from other states, allowing individuals with such licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons within the state. Additionally, the state has entered into written reciprocity agreements with other states, enabling Kentucky license holders to carry concealed deadly weapons in those states as well.
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Concealed carry in other states
The laws regarding concealed carry vary from state to state in the US. Some states have extremely lax permitting laws, while others, like California and New York, have much stronger CCW laws.
Federal law provides that certain law enforcement officers may carry concealed firearms. "Qualified law enforcement officers" and "qualified retired law enforcement officers" with proper identification may carry concealed firearms, and these statutes supersede state and local laws regarding concealed carry by law enforcement in most circumstances.
In addition, active and retired law enforcement officers are generally exempt from qualification requirements, due to a federal statute permitting them to carry concealed weapons. Some states, like Virginia, offer a range of training options to prove competency in handgun handling, while others, like South Carolina, accept military training in lieu of civilian certification.
Some states, like Florida, require a CCW permit for carrying pepper spray in a volume greater than 2 oz., while others allow non-lethal "self-defense chemical spray" devices to be carried without a permit.
The Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act prohibits carrying a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school, with exceptions for valid permit holders and retired law enforcement officers. Military installations do not recognize state-issued concealed carry permits, and state firearms laws do not apply to military bases.
Native American reservations have their own tribal laws regarding concealed carry, which vary widely.
A study of states that adopted permitless concealed carry laws found a 13% increase in fatal and non-fatal police shootings of civilians. In addition, individuals who carry firearms are three times more likely to have them stolen, and there is a suggestion that unintentional firearm injuries may increase in states with weaker permitting standards.
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Concealed carry training
In the state of Kentucky, any person over 21 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on their person without a license or permit. However, Kentucky residents visiting other states must abide by the laws of those states regarding the carry of concealed deadly weapons. Most states require a CCDW (carrying concealed weapons) license to carry a concealed weapon, and Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state. A CCDW license can also assist in purchasing weapons from licensed dealers and provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws.
To obtain a CCDW license in Kentucky, an applicant must meet certain qualifications. They must be a United States citizen or a person lawfully admitted to the United States. They must not have been committed to a facility for substance abuse 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 for alcohol abuse within the last three years. The applicant must also be up to date with child support payments and have complied with any related subpoenas or warrants.
The process of obtaining a CCDW license typically involves completing a training course that covers firearm safety, the laws surrounding firearm possession and carrying, and the justifiable use of force. The course must include actual range firing of a handgun, with a focus on safe handling and accuracy. Some individuals, such as active or honorably discharged service members, peace officers, and corrections officers, may be exempt from the training requirement if they can provide documentation of their qualifications.
Online resources like Concealed Coalition offer training and certification for concealed carry permits. They provide online classes, live fire training, and a network of certified trainers to help individuals obtain the necessary skills and knowledge for safe and responsible concealed carry.
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Concealed carry restrictions
Kentucky is a permitless carry state, meaning that any person aged 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, there are still some restrictions and requirements in place for those wishing to carry a concealed weapon in the state.
Firstly, it is important to note that Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state. Therefore, Kentucky residents wishing to carry a concealed weapon in another state must comply with the laws of that state. In some cases, this may require obtaining a concealed carry license from Kentucky, as most states still require a license to carry a concealed weapon.
Additionally, there are specific requirements that must be met for an individual to be eligible to carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky. These requirements include being a United States citizen or a person lawfully admitted to the United States, not having a recent history of substance abuse or convictions related to controlled substances, and not having multiple convictions for driving under the influence or involuntary commitment for alcohol treatment. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of the law regarding the justifiable use of force and complete a firearms safety or training course.
Kentucky law also places restrictions on where concealed deadly weapons can be carried. These weapons are prohibited in any place prohibited by federal law or in specific locations outlined by Kentucky state law. Furthermore, Kentucky law requires the Kentucky Department of State Police to maintain a database of individuals with licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons, which must be made available to law enforcement agencies upon request.
While Kentucky has relaxed its laws around permitless carry, it is important to remember that there are still restrictions and requirements in place to regulate the possession and carrying of concealed deadly weapons within the state. These laws aim to balance the rights of individuals with the need for public safety and secure handling of firearms.
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Frequently asked questions
Although it is not written in the Kentucky gun law, it is assumed that the legal age to own a firearm is 18 years old.
Yes, Kentucky allows the concealed carry of firearms including shotguns, rifles, and handguns.
Any person over 21, who is eligible to lawfully possess a firearm under state and federal law, may carry concealed deadly weapons.
Concealed carry is restricted in schools, police stations, courthouses, daycare centers, and any business that sells alcohol for consumption on the site.
