Eleanor Finch
Kentucky's gun laws have undergone significant changes in recent years, notably with the introduction of permitless carry legislation. In March 2019, Governor Matt Bevin signed Senate Bill 150, which eliminated the requirement for a permit to carry concealed firearms in the state. This move aligned with Kentucky's status as a shall-issue state, where the law is written to allow the carry of concealed deadly weapons, not just handguns, for those aged 21 and over. The law also maintains the same location restrictions for carrying firearms as before. While Kentucky has relaxed its gun laws, it still requires competency training and a background check for those wishing to obtain a concealed carry permit, and it continues to issue these permits for those who may need them for out-of-state travel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry in Kentucky | Permitless carry |
| Age requirement | 21 or older |
| Open carry | Allowed without a permit |
| Concealed carry | Allowed without a permit for those 21 and over |
| Concealed carry permits | Still issued |
| Concealed carry restrictions | Schools, airports, establishments serving alcohol, etc. |
| Firearms registration | Not required |
| Background check | Required for purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Dealer |
| Firearms safety course | Required |
| Concealed carry out-of-state | Requires a conceal carry license |
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What You'll Learn
Kentucky's permitless carry laws
Kentucky is a "shall-issue", permitless carry state. In 2019, the state repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public. Now, any person aged 21 or older who is eligible to possess a firearm can carry a concealed deadly weapon in public without a license or permit. Kentucky's concealed carry law, set forth in KRS § 237.110, is "shall-issue", meaning it allows the carry of concealed "deadly weapons", not just handguns.
The definition of a "deadly weapon", found in KRS § 500.080, includes a wide array of weapons other than guns, such as knives, clubs, blackjacks, nunchaku, shuriken, and brass knuckles. Open carry is also legal in Kentucky without a license for anyone aged 18 or older who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, some areas are off-limits, including businesses primarily devoted to the sale of alcohol.
While Kentucky has permitless carry, it still issues Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) licenses for those who want to carry out-of-state. These licenses are valid for five years from the date of issuance, and the state requires a background check for renewal. A CCDW license is also useful for weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. To obtain a CCDW license, an applicant must be a United States citizen or lawfully admitted to the country, and they must demonstrate competence with a firearm by successfully completing a firearms safety or training course.
Kentucky law also allows individuals with a valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon from another state to carry one in Kentucky. The state requires DSP to enter into written reciprocity agreements with other states so that Kentucky license holders may carry concealed deadly weapons in those states. However, Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply out of state, and most states still require a CCDW license to carry a concealed weapon.
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Location restrictions for concealed carry
In 2019, Kentucky repealed its requirement for a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public spaces. Now, any person aged 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, those carrying firearms without a permit are still subject to the same location restrictions as those carrying with a permit.
Kentucky law prohibits people from carrying concealed firearms into any of the following locations:
- Businesses primarily devoted to the sale of alcohol.
- Any room where alcoholic beverages are being sold at a retail establishment licensed to sell alcohol "by the drink". This does not include restaurants that are open to the public, have dining facilities for at least 50 people, and receive less than 50% of their annual food and beverage income from alcohol sales.
- Portions of buildings owned, leased, or occupied by the state, city, county, urban-county, or charter county government. Such ordinances must exempt buildings used for public housing, highway rest areas, firing ranges, and private dwellings owned, leased, or controlled by the government unit.
Kentucky still issues concealed carry licenses for those who wish to obtain them for carrying in other states. These licenses are referred to as Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) licenses and are valid for five years from the date of issuance. CCDW licenses are available to residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky, but not to non-residents.
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Concealed carry license requirements
Kentucky is a "shall-issue", permitless carry state, meaning that no license is needed to carry a concealed firearm. However, there are still requirements that must be met in order to legally carry a concealed weapon in the state.
Firstly, an individual must be at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm in Kentucky. Those under 21 may be eligible to possess a firearm but are not permitted to carry it concealed. Additionally, the individual must be eligible to lawfully possess a firearm under state and federal law. This includes being a citizen of the United States or a person lawfully admitted to the country.
Kentucky's concealed carry law, set forth in KRS § 237.110, allows the carry of concealed "deadly weapons", not just handguns. Deadly weapons include a wide array of weapons other than guns, such as clubs, blackjacks, nunchaku, and brass knuckles.
While a license is not required to carry a concealed firearm in Kentucky, the state still issues Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) licenses for individuals who wish to carry their weapons out-of-state. A CCDW license is also useful for weapons purchases from licensed dealers and provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws. To obtain a CCDW license, applicants must demonstrate competence with a firearm by successfully completing a firearms safety or training course that includes written tests, in-person instruction, and live-fire training. The course must be approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training and include instruction on the safe use, care, and cleaning of handguns, as well as handgun marksmanship principles.
It is important to note that there are still restrictions on where concealed carry is permitted in Kentucky, even without a license. For example, concealed carry is prohibited in schools, airports, and any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law. Additionally, private and public employers can prohibit employees or permit holders from carrying weapons in employer-owned vehicles or buildings, respectively.
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Firearm safety courses
In 2019, Kentucky became a permitless carry state, repealing the requirement for a license and background check to carry concealed firearms in public. However, firearm safety courses are still essential for responsible gun ownership and are required for those seeking to obtain a concealed carry permit.
One example of an online firearm safety course is the "Introduction to Handgun Safety" course, which is filmed with a retired state-certified police instructor. This course covers fundamentals such as transportation, storage, and firing in defensive situations. It is offered free of charge, and individuals can choose to purchase a traceable certificate upon completion. Other online platforms, such as American Firearms Training, also offer similar gun safety courses, which are accepted by Kentucky courts and can be accessed from any device at any time.
In-person firearm safety courses are also available in Kentucky. For instance, ConcealedCarry.com provides NRA Firearm Training Classes and Kentucky-certified Concealed Carry Classes. These classes help prepare students for applying for concealed weapon permits in the state and are taught by certified instructors. Additionally, organizations like American Firearms Training offer in-person and online courses that cater to individuals seeking to meet license or court requirements or improve their gun safety knowledge.
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Carrying a concealed weapon as a minor
Kentucky is a "shall-issue", permitless carry state, meaning no license is needed to purchase a firearm from a private individual, and there is no waiting period or firearms registration. While open carry is legal in Kentucky without a license for anyone aged 18 or older, those wishing to carry a concealed firearm must be 21 or older.
Kentucky law specifically authorises people to carry concealed guns or other deadly weapons, as long as they are 21 or older and are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. The state still issues concealed carry licenses for people wishing to obtain them for out-of-state travel, and these licenses are referred to as Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) licenses. They apply to handguns, knives, clubs, blackjacks, nunchaku, and more.
However, minors under 18 are prohibited from possessing handguns, except in certain circumstances, such as when they have a parent's permission and are on private property, are hunting or target shooting, or are attending a hunter's or firearms safety class. Minors may be charged with a class A misdemeanour for a first violation of the handgun prohibition, or a class D felony for each subsequent offence.
Kentucky law also prohibits providing a handgun to someone under 18, and it is a class D felony for a parent to permit their minor child to have a handgun if they know there is a serious risk the child will use it to commit a felony, or if the minor has been convicted of a violent offence.
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Frequently asked questions
Permitless carry includes constitutional carry states as well as states where an individual must meet certain qualifications to legally carry.
Kentucky is a shall-issue, permitless carry state. In 2019, Governor Matt Bevin signed into law Senate Bill 150, which eliminated the requirement of a permit to carry concealed weapons in Kentucky.
Only those aged 21 and over are permitted to carry a concealed firearm in Kentucky. Those under 21 may be eligible to possess a firearm but are not allowed to carry it concealed.
Concealed carry is prohibited in schools, airports, government buildings, and businesses primarily devoted to the sale of alcohol.
