Simone Lawson
Kentucky has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country. In 2019, the state repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry a concealed firearm in public. Now, any US citizen over the age of 21 who is eligible to possess a firearm can carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky without a permit. This applies to both residents and non-residents, including active-duty military personnel. However, people with felony or violent misdemeanor convictions are barred from concealed carry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | 21 years or older |
| Eligibility | Eligible to possess a firearm under the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky |
| License requirement | No license or permit required; however, a CCDW license is recommended and provides benefits such as bypassing NICS checks when buying guns and training on gun laws |
| Location restrictions | Same location restrictions as previously existed for people carrying with a permit, including bars, courthouses, and polling places |
| Open carry | Allowed |
| Out-of-state licenses | Recognizes valid concealed carry permits from other states and has reciprocity agreements with other states |
| Training requirements | No training required to carry; however, a firearms training course is required to obtain a CCDW license |
| Background checks | No background check required to carry; background checks are still conducted for firearm purchases |
| Weapons allowed | Any legal weapon; open or concealed carry |
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What You'll Learn
Kentucky's gun laws are among the worst in the country
The state does have some restrictions on gun ownership and usage. For example, it requires that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances. It also prohibits the purchase of certain assault-style weapons originally designed for military use, as well as high-capacity magazines. Additionally, Kentucky law bars domestic abusers from having guns while subject to restraining orders and prohibits people under the influence of drugs or alcohol from possessing firearms.
However, Kentucky's gun laws fall short in several key areas. For example, there is no state law requiring background checks on all firearm sales. The state also does not have a dangerous "Shoot First" law in place, which could allow people to claim self-defense in situations where they may have escalated the situation or had other options. Kentucky's gun laws also do not address the private sale of firearms, which means that private sellers are not required to conduct background checks on buyers.
The state's gun laws have faced criticism from gun safety advocates, who argue that the lack of stringent regulations contributes to gun violence and puts people at risk. Kentucky's gun laws highlight the ongoing debate in the United States between those who prioritize gun rights and those who prioritize gun control to reduce gun violence.
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People over 21 can carry a concealed weapon
Kentucky has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country, and in 2019, it repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public. This means that any person over 21 who is eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law may carry a concealed deadly weapon in public in Kentucky. The state's gun death rate is above the national average.
Kentucky's permitless carry law means that anyone over 21 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit. This is known as "constitutional carry". The only things that would bar someone from concealed carrying in Kentucky are the same things that would bar them from owning a gun in the first place, or where federal jurisdiction bars them from carrying. For example, people with felony or violent misdemeanor convictions are barred from carrying concealed weapons.
Kentucky still issues concealed carry licenses for people who may wish to obtain them for the purposes of carrying in other states. A CCDW license will also assist in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provide the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. A CCDW license is also a substitute for the NICS background check when purchasing a firearm.
There are some restrictions on where people can carry concealed weapons in Kentucky. For example, they are not permitted in detention facilities, bars, courthouses, or polling places. The laws governing the open carry of deadly weapons remain unchanged.
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No license or background check is required
Kentucky has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country, and in 2019, it repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public. This means that any person over 21 who is eligible to possess a firearm can carry a concealed deadly weapon in public without a permit. Kentucky is now one of around 28 constitutional carry states, meaning its residents can carry openly or concealed without a permit, and with any legal weapon.
While Kentucky does not require a license or background check to carry a concealed weapon, it still issues concealed carry licenses for people who may wish to obtain them for carrying in other states. A CCDW license will also assist in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provide the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. Additionally, only a valid CCDW license will serve as a substitute for the NICS background check when purchasing a firearm.
Kentucky recognizes all currently valid concealed carry permits issued by other U.S. jurisdictions. A CCDW license can be obtained by residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky, but not by non-residents. To obtain a CCDW license, an applicant must be a United States citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States, and they must complete a state-approved firearms training course.
While Kentucky has relaxed laws around carrying concealed weapons, there are still some restrictions in place. People carrying guns without a permit are still subject to the same location restrictions as those carrying with a permit, such as being unable to carry in bars, courthouses, and polling places. Additionally, Kentucky has laws in place to prevent domestic abusers and people with felony convictions from possessing firearms.
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Open and concealed carry are both legal
In 2019, Kentucky repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public. The state now permits constitutional carry, allowing anyone over 21 who can legally possess a firearm to carry a concealed deadly weapon in public. This means that open and concealed carry are both legal in Kentucky. However, people carrying guns without a permit are still subject to the same location restrictions as those carrying with a permit.
Kentucky still issues concealed carry licenses (CCDW) for those who want to carry a concealed weapon in other states, as most states still require a CCDW license to do so. A CCDW license will also assist in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provide the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. A CCDW license is available to residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky but not to non-residents.
Kentucky's gun laws have been described as "among the worst in the country," and the state's gun death rate is above the national average. The state does not have a Shoot First law in place, and it requires that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances. Kentucky prohibits the public carry of guns on state capitol grounds and/or political protests, and it regulates how guns may be carried visibly in public, either requiring a permit or barring open carry altogether.
Kentucky is a Castle Doctrine state and has a "stand your ground" law. This means that a person who uses permitted force is justified in doing so and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless the person against whom the force was used is a peace officer.
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Kentucky is a stand your ground state
Kentucky is a "stand your ground" state, with some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country. In 2019, the state repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry a concealed firearm in public. This means that anyone over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm is permitted to carry a concealed deadly weapon in public without a permit or license. Kentucky is one of around 28 constitutional carry states, where residents can carry openly or concealed without a permit, and with any legal weapon.
The only restrictions on carrying a firearm in Kentucky are the same location restrictions that previously applied to carrying with a permit, such as bars, courthouses, and polling places. There are also restrictions for those with a history of domestic violence, assault, or other violent misdemeanour convictions, and for those under the age of 21. Kentucky still issues concealed carry licenses for people who wish to obtain them for carrying in other states, and for weapons purchases from licensed dealers.
Kentucky is a Castle Doctrine state, which means that a person is justified in using permitted force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action unless the person against whom the force was used is a peace officer. The state also has a law that allows law enforcement and family members to petition for a court order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns.
While Kentucky does not require a permit, lesson, insurance, or registration for any firearm, it is important to note that federal law and the laws of other states may differ. For example, some states require a CCW license to carry a concealed weapon, and Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply out of state.
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Frequently asked questions
Any person over 21 who is eligible to lawfully possess a firearm under state and federal law may carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky.
No, Kentucky has a constitutional carry law, meaning you can carry a concealed weapon without a license. However, a CCDW license will assist in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provide the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws.
People carrying guns without a permit are still subject to the same location restrictions as those carrying with a permit. These include bars, courthouses, and polling places.
Yes, Kentucky recognizes all currently valid concealed carry permits issued by other U.S. jurisdictions.
Yes, a retired peace officer from another state who possesses a valid carry concealed weapons license issued by another state may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky.
