Kentucky Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Kentucky.

Yes. Kentucky became a permitless carry state as of July 1, 2019.

Kentucky is a shall-issue state,

The minimum age to carry a concealed handgun in Kentucky is 21.

Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 237.060(7) and 237.080(1)]

Yes. You may carry a concealed handgun at a roadside rest area in Kentucky.

No person, including but not limited to an employer, who is the owner, lessee, or occupant of real property shall prohibit any person who is legally entitled to possess a firearm from possessing a firearm, part of a firearm, ammunition, or ammunition component in a vehicle on the property.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 237.106]

Yes, without a license for anyone at least 21 years old and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm.

Kentucky allows any person at least 18 years old to possess a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle in any enclosed container, compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer, including but not limited to a glove compartment, center console, or seat pocket, regardless of whether said enclosed container, storage space, or compartment is locked, unlocked, or does not have a locking mechanism.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 527.020][Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 237.109]

No. Kentucky does not have a red flag law.

Yes, only to members of the military on active duty assigned to a military post in Kentucky.

There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Kentucky unless the officer asks.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 237.110(15)]

Yes. There is state preemption of all gun laws with the exception that section 237.115(2) specifically authorizes the legislative bodies of city, county and urban-county governments to “prohibit or limit” the carrying of concealed deadly weapons by state licensees in those portions of a building actually owned, leased, or controlled by that government unit. Per the Kentucky Attorney General, cities can only enforce a concealed carry ban if there's an ordinance that makes it illegal. Cities can't prohibit open carry in those buildings.

In addition, local governments cannot ban employees or other people from carrying guns outside any city-owned building.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 65.870][Ky Rev. Stat. Ann. § 237.115(2)]

Yes. Your Kentucky driver’s license is linked to your Kentucky concealed carry of deadly weapons license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.

No. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check requirement, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply. It is recommended that you retain any sales receipts to prove ownership of the gun.

No. There is no waiting period to buy a handgun in Kentucky.

You must be at least 18 years old to possess or transport a handgun in Kentucky.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. 527.100]

No. You are not required to have a permit to buy a handgun in Kentucky.

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident;
• Be a resident of Kentucky;
• Demonstrate competence with a firearm;
• Not have been committed to a state or federal facility for abuse of a controlled substance or convicted of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled substance within the 3 years prior to application;
• Not have 2 or more convictions for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substance which impairs driving ability within the 3 years prior to application;
• Not have been committed as an alcoholic within the last 3 years;
• Not owe a child support arrearage which equals or exceeds the cumulative amount which would be owed after 1 year of non-payment;
• Have complied with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings;
• Not have been convicted of assault in the fourth degree or terroristic threatening in the third degree within the 3 years immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Kentucky.

5 years

Link to application

You are required to notify the Kentucky State Police within 30 days after the changing of a permanent address. Failure to do so is a noncriminal violation with a penalty of $25 payable to the clerk of the District Court. To change or update your address, you must complete a Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons Licensee Request for Change of Personal Information (KSP Form 121) at the office of the Sheriff of your county of residence. Once completed, the Sheriff will forward the information to the Kentucky State Police.

Moving to Kentucky and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Kentucky issues license to residents and active duty military stationed in Kentucky only. You can apply for your license to the sheriff of your county once you have established residency in Kentucky.

Moving from Kentucky and have a Kentucky resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Kentucky license remains valid?If a person with a Kentucky concealed carry of deadly weapons license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? You may concealed carry in the dining area of a bona fide restaurant, but not in the bar area, unless posted. Carry is not allowed in bars.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no State statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

Yes. Anyone who may legally possess firearms may carry firearms while hunting, but any firearms carried concealed must be done so pursuant to Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. 527.020(4).

Yes. No person shall intentionally obstruct or disrupt the right of a person to lawfully take wildlife by hunting, trapping, or fishing.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 150.710]

There is no known statute in Kentucky making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.