Kentucky Concealed Carry
Legal information provided is for reference and not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal concerns.
Legal information provided is for reference and not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal concerns.
Kentucky is a shall-issue, permitless carry state with licenses processed by the State Police.
No license is needed to purchase a firearm from a private individual, there is no waiting period, and there is no firearms registration in the state. A background check is required if purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Dealer.
Open carry is legal in Kentucky without a license for anyone at least 18 years of age who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. Some areas are off-limits, including businesses primarily devoted to the sale of alcohol.
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Kentucky is now a permitless carry state, 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 conceal carry out-of-state will still need to get a conceal carry license. Kentucky concealed carry licenses are referred to as Concealed Carry of Deadly Weapons (CCDW) licenses, and they apply to not only handguns but also knives, clubs, blackjacks, nunchaku, shuriken, and brass knuckles. Successful completion of a state-approved firearms training course is required to obtain a CCDW license. CCDW licenses are available to residents and military personnel stationed in Kentucky. Licenses are not available for non-residents. In terms of reciprocity, Kentucky recognizes all currently valid concealed carry permits issued by other U.S. jurisdictions.
The use of physical force by a person is justifiable when the person believes that such force is necessary to protect themselves or a third party against the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force. The use of deadly force by a person is justifiable only when the person believes that such force is necessary to protect themselves or a third party against imminent death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual intercourse compelled by force or threat, or another felony involving the use of force.
A person is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm when using deadly force to prevent or terminate another’s unlawful entry upon such person’s dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle, or an attempt to remove another against that person’s will from the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle.
The use of physical force by a person is justifiable when the person believes that such force is immediately necessary to prevent:
- The commission of criminal trespass, robbery, burglary, or other felony involving the use of force in a dwelling, building, or upon real property in his or her possession or in the possession of another person for whose protection one acts; or
- Theft, criminal mischief, or any unlawful taking of tangible, movable property in his or her possession or in the possession of another person for whose protection one acts.
The use of deadly force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable only when the defendant believes that the person against whom such force is used is:
- Attempting to dispossess him or her of the dwelling otherwise than under a claim of right to its possession;
- Committing or attempting to commit a burglary, robbery, or other felony involving the use of force; or
- Committing or attempting to commit arson of a dwelling or other building in his or her possession.
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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 place where they have a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand their ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another, or to prevent the commission of a felony involving the use of force.
A person who uses permitted force is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless the person against whom the force was used is a peace officer.
Question: Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Kentucky?
Answer: Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Kentucky.
Question: Does Kentucky have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?
Answer: No. There is no state-mandated limit to handgun magazine capacity in Kentucky.
Question: Does Kentucky allow permitless carry?
Answer: Yes. Kentucky became a permitless carry state as of July 1, 2019.
Question: Is open carry permitted in Kentucky?
Answer: Yes, without a license. Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry.
Question: If Kentucky requires a license to carry a concealed firearm, how are those licenses issued?
Answer: Kentucky is a shall-issue state.
Question: Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Kentucky?
Answer: Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license.
Question: What is the minimum age in Kentucky to get a concealed carry license?
Answer: The minimum age to carry a concealed handgun in Kentucky is 21.
Question: Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Kentucky with a concealed carry license (or under permitless carry if applicable)?
Answer: According to the Kentucky State Police, other items covered by the license include any knife other than an ordinary pocket or hunting knife, a nightstick or club, blackjack or slapjack, nunchaku, shuriken, and artificial knuckles.
Question: Does Kentucky have ammunition restrictions?
Answer: Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited.
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Yes. You may carry a concealed handgun at a roadside rest area in Kentucky.
Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests, and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Kentucky?
Yes, without a license for anyone at least 21 years old and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm.
Does Kentucky have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?
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.
You may concealed carry in the dining area of a bona fide restaurant open to the general public having dining facilities for not less than 50 persons and which receives less than 50% 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.
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.
Private businesses may prohibit concealed carry on their premises (not open carry) and shall post signs on or about the premises if carrying concealed weapons is prohibited. However, “facilities renting or leasing housing” are specifically prohibited from restricting concealed carry. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy.
Q: Does Kentucky have a red flag law?
A: No, Kentucky does not have a red flag law.
Q: Does Kentucky have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or prescription medication?
A: This is not addressed in state statutes. However, 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 made while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.
Q: Does Kentucky issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?
A: Yes, but only to members of the military on active duty assigned to a military post in Kentucky.
Q: Does Kentucky allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?
A: No, the information is available only to law enforcement.
Q: Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Kentucky?
A: There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm unless the officer asks. [Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 237.110(15)]
Q: Are “No Weapons Allowed” signs enforced in Kentucky?
A: No, unless they are posted on property specifically mentioned in state law as being off-limits to those with a permit/license to carry.
Q: Does Kentucky have preemption laws related to concealed carry?
A: Yes. State preemption of all gun laws exists except that section 237.115(2) specifically authorizes local governments to prohibit or limit concealed carry in government-owned buildings. 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)]
Q: Does Kentucky state law define brandishing?
A: No definition of brandishing was found in Kentucky law. However, a person is guilty of disorderly conduct in the second degree when in a public place and with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or wantonly creating a risk thereof, engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior. [Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 252.060]
Q: Is my Kentucky driver’s license linked to my Kentucky carry license?
A: Yes, your Kentucky driver’s license is linked to your Kentucky concealed carry of deadly weapons license. 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. However, 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.
Does my current Kentucky concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?
Yes. Concealed Deadly Weapons Licenses (CCDW) and Judicial Special Status CCDW qualify.
No. There is no waiting period to buy a handgun in Kentucky.
No. Handgun registration is not required in Kentucky.
You must be at least 18 years old to possess or transport a handgun in Kentucky.
Yes. Permitless carry is allowed in Kentucky for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm.
No. You are not required to have a permit to buy a handgun in Kentucky.
Alabama (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
California (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Colorado (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Connecticut (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Delaware (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
District of Columbia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Florida (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Georgia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Hawaii (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Idaho (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Illinois (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Indiana (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Louisiana (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Maine (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Maryland (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Massachusetts (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Michigan (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Minnesota (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Missouri (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Montana (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Nebraska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Nevada (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
New Jersey (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
New Mexico (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
New York (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
New York City (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
North Carolina (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Ohio (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Oregon (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Pennsylvania (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Puerto Rico (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Rhode Island (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
South Carolina (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Utah (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Vermont (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Washington (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Wisconsin (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Alabama (permitless carry, at least 19 years old)
Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Delaware
Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Indiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Louisiana
Minnesota
Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Nevada
New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
North Carolina
North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Vermont (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Virginia
Wisconsin
Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Colorado (at least 21 years old and resident permits only)
Florida (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Georgia (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Maine (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Michigan (at least 21 years old and resident permits only)
Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old, 18 for military)
Nebraska (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Ohio (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Pennsylvania (resident permits only)
South Carolina (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Utah (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Alabama (permitless carry, at least 19 years old)
Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Florida (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Georgia (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Indiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Maine (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old, 18 for military)
Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Nebraska (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Ohio (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
South Carolina (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Utah (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Vermont (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
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
- 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.
Initial license and renewals: $60 ($20 to the county sheriff and $40 to the Kentucky State Treasurer) *For renewal applications submitted after the expiration date of the license, an additional $15 late fee should be added to the check for the Kentucky State Treasurer.
5 years
90 days
Kentucky issues non-resident licenses only to members of the military on active duty assigned to a military post in Kentucky. The process is the same as for residents.
You are required to notify the Kentucky State Police within 30 days after changing your 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.
You must complete a Request for Duplicate CCDW License form at the office of the sheriff in your county of residence and provide a check or money order, payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, in the amount of $15.00.
- Moving to Kentucky : Kentucky issues licenses 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 : 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.
- 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.
- In My Vehicle Without a Permit/License: Yes.
- Roadside Rest Areas: Yes.
- State/National Parks, State/National Forests, and WMAs: Yes.
- 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.
Places Off-Limits Even With a Permit/License:
- Any elementary or secondary school facility 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.
- Any child-care facility, any day-care center, or any certified family child-care home.
- Any school bus.
- Any police station or sheriff’s office.
- Any detention facility, prison, or jail.
- Any courthouse 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); or any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly.
- Any room where alcoholic beverages are being sold at a retail establishment licensed to sell alcohol “by the drink.” This prohibition does not apply to restaurants that are open to the public, have dining facilities for at least 50 people, and receive less than 50 percent of their annual food and beverage income from the sale of alcohol.
- An area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property.
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.
Additional Restrictions:
- 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.
Yes. Anyone who may legally possess firearms may carry firearms while hunting. However, any firearms carried concealed must be done so pursuant to Kentucky law.
Yes, as per the Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Yes. No person shall intentionally obstruct or disrupt the right of a person to lawfully take wildlife by hunting, trapping, or fishing.
There are no banned knife types in Kentucky. It is legal for anyone over the age of 21 or in possession of a concealed weapon license to carry any knife. However, possession of a knife is illegal in K-12 schools, school buses, athletic fields, and recreational areas.
There is no known statute in Kentucky making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.
