Duty to Inform Officer You're Carrying?

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)]

PUBLIC ACCESS TO CONCEALED CARRY REGISTRY?

No, however the information is available for law enforcement.

Carry while using alcohol or prescription medication in Kentucky?

Not addressed in state statutes. 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 judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

No, unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in state law as being off-limits to those with a permit/license to carry.

DRIVER'S LICENSE LINKED TO Carry License?

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.

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)]

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, he engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior. [Ky Rev. Stat. Ann. § 252.060]

No. Kentucky does not have a red flag law.

CARRY WHILE BOW HUNTING?

Yes. Per page 9 of the KY Hunting and Trapping Guide.

WHAT ARE THE KNIFE LAWS IN KENTUCKY?

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. Possession of a knife is illegal in K-12 schools, school buses, athletic fields and recreational areas. [KRS 237.109, 500.080(4) & 527.020(1)]

HUNTER HARASSMENT LAW?

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]

CARRY WHILE GUN HUNTING?

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).

WEAR A COVID MASK & CARRY?

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

Kentucky gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

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 that is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. Some areas are off-limits, including businesses primarily devoted to the sale of alcohol.

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. HB 312 was just passed, allowing 18-20 year olds to apply for a provisional license/permit. It is current law; however, the state still has to develop a system and process for those wishing to apply. July 14th is the current date set for this. 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 firearms training course that has been state-approved 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.

Where can I carry with my Kentucky permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

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Kentucky Concealed Carry License Information

Fees:

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.

Processing Time:

90 days

Application:

Link to application

Non-Resident Concealed Carry licenses:

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.

Residency Changes:

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.

Valid For:

5 years

Requirements:

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.

Name/Address Changes:

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.

Lost/Stolen licenses:

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.

How to get a Kentucky Concealed Weapons Permit

Step 1:

Complete a state-approved firearms training course.

Step 2:

Take the training certificate and a passport-type photo to the sheriff's office in your county of residence and complete the application form there, as the form must be signed under oath.

Step 3:

Pay the $60 fee.

Step 4:

You will be notified if your application has been approved.

Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?

See details

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 <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.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 237.110(16)(e)][Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 244.125(3)]

edit carry/possess at a hotel?

See details

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 it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

[KRS § 237.110 (17)]

carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?

Yes

Yes, without a license for anyone at least 21 years old and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Kentucky.

Based on the available information, the legality of firearms on Corps of Engineers (COE) property in Kentucky is somewhat complex:

General Prohibition: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers generally prohibits the possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, and other weapons on their properties, unless specific exceptions apply.
Exceptions: There are some exceptions to this prohibition, including:
- Federal, state, or local law enforcement officers
- Hunting or fishing as permitted under specific regulations, with weapons being unloaded during transport
- Use at authorized shooting ranges
- Written permission from the District Commander
State Parks on COE Land: Some Kentucky state parks are located on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and leased to the state. In these cases, the federal regulations may still apply, making these areas off-limits to legal carrying of firearms.
Vehicle Storage: Kentucky state law generally protects the right to store firearms in vehicles, even on properties where carrying is prohibited. However, this may not apply to federal property like COE lands.
Recent Developments: There have been efforts to change federal policy regarding firearms on COE property. In 2011, there was a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of allowing CCW on Army Corps of Engineers property, but it's unclear if this resulted in any policy changes.
Confusion and Ambiguity: There appears to be some confusion among gun owners about the exact rules for COE properties, particularly when they overlap with state parks or other recreational areas.
.

Given the complexity and potential for recent changes, it would be advisable for individuals to check with local COE offices or park authorities for the most up-to-date and location-specific regulations before bringing firearms onto COE property in Kentucky.

carry at roadside rest areas?

Yes

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

store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?

Yes

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]

carry in vehicle?

Yes

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]

Kentucky Self-Defense Laws

Justification and Criminal and Civil Immunity

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.

[Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 503.050, 503.055, 503.070, 503.080 & 503.085]

Self-Defense

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 and 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, or to prevent the commission of a felony involving the use of force.

Use of Physical Force in Defense of Self or a Third Party

The use of physical force by a person is justifiable when the person believes that such force is necessary to protect the person 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 himself or a third party against imminent death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual intercourse compelled by force or threat, or other felony involving the use of force.

Defense of Dwelling, Residence or Occupied VehicleA 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 such other’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.

Protection of Property

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.

Kentucky Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-04-07

Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.

2021-10-12

Updated preemption details in At A Glance table

2021-05-18

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

Yes, Selected State:	Kentucky
Yes, Constitutional Carry:	West Virginia, Tennessee, Montana, Indiana, Iowa, Arizona, South Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, North Dakota, Utah, Kansas, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Vermont, Maine, South Dakota, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, New Hampshire, Mississippi
Yes, Allowed to Carry:	Virginia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nevada, North Carolina, Delaware
Yes, With Restrictions:	Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania
No, Carry Not Allowed	Oregon, Washington, Connecticut, New York City, Maryland, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, California, New York, Hawaii, New Jersey, Illinois, District of Columbia, New Mexico