Jonah Patel
Kentucky, a constitutional carry state, allows residents and non-residents (including military personnel) over the age of 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, as long as they are legally allowed to possess a firearm. Kentucky still offers concealed carry licenses for those who wish to obtain them for carrying in other states. The state also requires successful completion of a firearms training course that has been state-approved to obtain a CCDW license.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Kentucky a constitutional carry state? | Yes, since June 27, 2019 |
| What does this mean? | Kentucky residents and non-residents over 21 years old can carry a concealed firearm without a permit. |
| Does this apply to everyone? | No, only to those who can legally possess a firearm. |
| Are there any restrictions? | Yes, the same location restrictions that previously existed for carrying with a permit. |
| Are there any other requirements? | Yes, applicants must demonstrate competence with a firearm by completing a firearms safety or training course. |
| What about for non-residents? | Non-residents under 21 may open carry without a permit, or conceal carry if they have a valid out-of-state concealed carry permit. |
| What about retired peace officers? | A retired peace officer from another state with a valid concealed carry license may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, subject to state law. |
| What about other states' licenses? | Kentucky recognizes all currently valid concealed carry permits issued by other U.S. jurisdictions. |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky repealed its requirement for a license and background check for carrying a concealed firearm in 2019
- Kentucky issues concealed carry licenses for carrying in other states
- Kentucky requires completion of a firearms safety or training course to obtain a CCDW license
- Kentucky is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand your ground law
- Kentucky allows non-residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit
Kentucky repealed its requirement for a license and background check for carrying a concealed firearm in 2019
Kentucky, a "Stand Your Ground" state, repealed its requirement for a license and background check for carrying a concealed firearm in 2019. This means that any person over 21 years old who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on or about their person. This is known as "permitless carry" or "constitutional carry".
Previously, Kentucky required a Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons (CCDW) license, which is still available for people who want to carry a concealed weapon in other states. The CCDW license is valid for five years and can be renewed. To obtain a CCDW license, an individual must complete a firearms training course that has been state-approved. The course must include information on Kentucky laws relating to the possession and carrying of firearms, as well as the use of force. The applicant must also demonstrate knowledge of the law regarding the justifiable use of force.
Kentucky still has some restrictions on the carry of firearms. For example, open carry and concealed weapons are restricted from being carried into public facilities such as schools, police stations, courthouses, daycare centres, and businesses that sell alcohol. Additionally, it is illegal to place a concealed weapon under the driver's seat of a vehicle.
Kentucky also has some foundational policies in place to prevent gun violence. For example, it allows law enforcement (and family members) to petition for a court order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns. It also requires that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances.
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Kentucky issues concealed carry licenses for carrying in other states
Kentucky is a constitutional carry state, meaning no permit is necessary for carrying a concealed weapon within the state. However, a license is required to carry a concealed weapon out of state. Kentucky issues concealed carry licenses for those who wish to carry their weapons in other states. These licenses are referred to as Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) licenses and are available to residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky. The CCDW license ensures that an individual's right to carry is protected in other states, as 37 states accept this license.
To obtain a CCDW license in Kentucky, an individual must be a United States citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States, be at least 21 years old, and complete a state-approved firearms training course. The training course must include information on Kentucky laws relating to the possession and carrying of firearms, as well as the laws on the use of force. The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the law regarding the justifiable use of force by including a signed statement with their application. Kentucky law also requires applicants to undergo a background check, including a NICS check, and prevents licenses from being renewed without one. CCDW licenses are valid for five years from the date of issuance and can be renewed up to six months after expiration.
Kentucky honors concealed carry permits from every other state in the country. A person with a valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon from another state may carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky, subject to the provisions of Kentucky law. Additionally, Kentucky law requires the Kentucky Department of State Police (DSP) to enter into written reciprocity agreements with other states. These agreements allow Kentucky license holders to carry concealed deadly weapons in other states based on their Kentucky-issued license or because the other state will issue its own license based on the Kentucky license.
Kentucky also offers non-resident licenses to members of the military on active duty and assigned to a military post in the state. The process for obtaining a license is the same for residents and non-residents. However, non-residents must notify the Kentucky State Police within 30 days of changing their permanent address. Failure to do so incurs a $25 penalty payable to the clerk of the District Court.
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Kentucky requires completion of a firearms safety or training course to obtain a CCDW license
Kentucky is a "constitutional carry" state, meaning that any person aged 21 or older, who is otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm, may carry a concealed firearm without a license. However, a CCDW (carrying concealed deadly weapons) license is still required to carry a concealed weapon in most states, and Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply outside of the state. A CCDW license also assists in weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws.
To obtain a CCDW license in Kentucky, an individual must meet the requirements set forth in KRS 237.110, including residency and training requirements. The training requirement cannot be waived, even with prior completion of out-of-state training. The training course must be offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training. The Department of Criminal Justice Training prepares trainers and instructors who teach CCDW courses across the state and provides applicants with proof of training through certification before obtaining their permit through the licensing agency, the Kentucky State Police.
To obtain a CCDW license, applicants must first successfully complete a firearms safety or training course. After completing the course, the instructor will mail the applicant's application form and test answers to the Department of Criminal Justice Training's CCDW office. The department will then process the application and send the applicant a "Certificate of Completion of Training" within 15 business days if they passed the course. This certificate is good for life, and applicants never have to repeat the course unless they received incomplete or insufficient training.
To obtain their permit, applicants can then present the certificate to their local sheriff's office, along with the required payments. Applicants must pay $40 to the Kentucky State Treasurer for the cost of the license and background check, and $20 to the sheriff's department, plus a photo charge. Alternatively, applicants may apply online, paying $50 via debit or credit card, and $20 to the sheriff's office when the permit is picked up after background checks are completed. After the application is made, a background check is conducted, which takes approximately three to six weeks. Upon completion of the background check, the applicant will receive a notification advising them of a date when their permit will be available at their sheriff's office. Permits are valid for five years, after which renewal applications can be completed online or by taking the renewal notification to a local sheriff's office.
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Kentucky is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand your ground law
Kentucky is a "constitutional carry" state, meaning that it allows its residents to carry a firearm without a license. Non-residents who are military personnel on active duty and stationed in the state can also obtain a license. Kentucky also permits qualified retired law enforcement officers (RLEOs) to carry concealed firearms.
Kentucky is also a Castle Doctrine state, which means that a person does not have a duty to retreat from a conflict before using force in their home. In other words, a Kentuckian can use deadly force in self-defence in their home, even if they could have retreated or avoided the confrontation.
The state has also enacted a "stand your ground" law, which removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defence in public. This means that a person can use deadly force in self-defence in public, even if that force could have been safely avoided by retreating or when non-lethal force would have sufficed. This law also limits law enforcement's ability to arrest someone who claims to have acted in self-defence.
It is important to note that the right to defend oneself in Kentucky is not unlimited. For example, self-defence does not apply if one is resisting a lawful arrest, provoked the attack, or was the initial aggressor.
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Kentucky allows non-residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit
Kentucky is a permitless carry state, meaning that any person over 21 years old who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on their person. Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply to out-of-state residents, and most states still require a CCDW license to carry a concealed weapon.
Kentucky offers resident and non-resident (active-duty military personnel assigned to a military post in Kentucky) licenses. A CCDW license is required to obtain a firearm from a licensed dealer and provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. To apply for a CCDW license, one must be a resident of Kentucky for at least 6 months (except for military personnel) and be 21 years old.
Retired or former peace officers from another state who possess a valid carry concealed weapons license issued by another state may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky. This is subject to the provisions of Kentucky law and the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA).
It is important to note that the carry of concealed deadly weapons by Kentucky residents visiting other states is governed by 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 CCDW license.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kentucky is a constitutional carry state. In 2019, Kentucky repealed its requirement that people obtain a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public.
Constitutional carry means that the state’s law does not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns, either openly or in a concealed manner, thus no state permit is required.
In Kentucky, any person at least 21 years old who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm. A firearms training course approved by the state must be successfully completed to obtain a CCDW license.
Permitless carry includes constitutional carry states as well as states where an individual must meet certain qualifications, e.g. no DUIs in the last 10 years, in order to legally carry. Some states are fully unrestricted, meaning no permit is required for open or concealed carry.
Kentucky offers non-resident licenses to military personnel on active duty and stationed in the state. Non-residents under 21 may open carry without a permit or conceal carry if they hold a valid out-of-state concealed carry permit.
