Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of Kentucky gun laws. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in Bluegrass State below.

Can You Carry a Gun in Kentucky?

Open carry is legal in Kentucky without a permit for anyone at least 18 years of age who is not prohibited from carrying a firearm. Some areas are off-limits, including businesses primarily devoted to the sale of alcohol.

Kentucky became a constitutional carry state as of July 1, 2019, so concealed carry is legal for anyone at least 21 years old who can legally possess a firearm without a license/permit. Those wanting to carry concealed out of state will still need to get a Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) license. 

Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit

CCDW licenses are available to residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky. Permits are not available for non-residents. CCDW licenses apply not only to handguns but also to knives, clubs, blackjacks, nunchakus, shuriken and brass knuckles. Successful completion of a firearms training course that has been state-approved is required to obtain a CCDW license. In terms of reciprocity, Kentucky recognizes all currently valid concealed carry permits issued by other U.S. jurisdictions.

Stand Your Ground

Kentucky is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “Stand Your Ground” law. A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat. He or she has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another. Force may also be used to prevent the commission of a felony involving the use of force. Any person who uses a gun in self-defense has immunity from criminal and civil law.

Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements

Permits are not required when buying a handgun. There is no firearms registration in Kentucky. No background check is required when buying a handgun from a private individual. In addition, a CCDW license exempts the licensee from the background check requirement when purchasing a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or dealer. There is also no mandatory waiting period for handgun purchases or magazine-capacity restrictions. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited.

Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons

Stun guns, Tasers and pepper spray are allowed to be carried for self-defense since all are legal to purchase and possess without a permit.

Where Can One Carry Concealed in Kentucky?

Unless posted, concealed carry is allowed in a place of worship. Concealed carry is allowed in the dining area of a bona fide restaurant open to the general public, with dining facilities for no less than 50 persons and which receives less than 50 percent of its annual food and beverage receipts from the sale of alcohol, but not in the bar area, unless posted. Carry is not allowed in bars.

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgment, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Other areas where concealed carry is allowed include:

  • Roadside rest areas
  • State/national parks
  • State/national forests
  • Wildlife Management Areas

Locations where concealed carry is prohibited include:

  • Elementary or secondary school facilities without the consent of school authorities, including school grounds, recreation areas, athletic fields or any other property owned, used or operated by any board of education, school, board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution
  • Child-care facilities, day-care centers or certified family child-care homes
  • School buses
  • Police station or sheriff’s offices
  • Detention facilities, prisons or jails
  • Courthouses solely occupied by the Court of Justice courtroom or court proceeding
  • Any meeting of the governing body of a county, municipality or special district (if passed by local ordinance)
  • Any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly
  • An area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property
  • Colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges that have exercised their authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them (check with each institution for specific allowances)
  • Private businesses that have exercised their authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them (check with each business for specific allowances)
  • Areas in which state and local governments have exercised their authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them
  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal or state law or regulation

Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Kentucky?

Anyone at least 21 years old and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry a handgun concealed without a permit in a motor vehicle. 

 

Ready to Learn More About Kentucky Gun Laws?

It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about Kentucky’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit the Kentucky gun laws page now…

The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.