Carrying a Gun in Your Car in Kentucky: Vehicle Carry Laws

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles in Kentucky

General Rule: No Permit Required for Firearms in Factory-Installed Vehicle Compartments

Under KRS 527.020(8), a loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon is not considered concealed on or about the person if it is located in any enclosed container, compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Glove compartment
• Center console
• Seat pocket

This applies regardless of whether the enclosed container, storage space, or compartment is locked, unlocked, or does not have a locking mechanism.

No permit or license is required to keep a firearm in these factory-installed vehicle compartments.

Prohibition on Restricting Vehicle Storage

KRS 527.020(8) explicitly states:

"No person or organization, public or private, shall prohibit a person from keeping a loaded or unloaded firearm or ammunition, or both, or other deadly weapon in a vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this subsection."

Any attempt by a person or organization (public or private) to violate this provision may be the subject of an action for appropriate relief or damages in a Circuit Court or District Court of competent jurisdiction.

Exception: Persons Prohibited from Possessing Firearms

The vehicle storage provision under KRS 527.020(8) does not apply to any person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040 (persons convicted of certain felonies and other prohibited persons).

CCDW License Holders: Vehicle Carry Protections

Under KRS 527.020(4), persons licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon (CCDW) may carry a firearm or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all times within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Additionally:

"No person or organization, public or private, shall prohibit a person licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon from possessing a firearm, ammunition, or both, or other deadly weapon in his or her vehicle in compliance with the provisions of KRS 237.110 and 237.115."

Violations of this provision may also be subject to legal action for appropriate relief or damages.

Employer/Property Owner Restrictions on Vehicle Firearms (KRS 237.106)

Kentucky law provides additional protections for firearms stored in vehicles:

• No person, including 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 (KRS 237.106(1)).
• A property owner/employer may prevent a person who is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition from doing so on the property (KRS 237.106(2)).
• A firearm may be removed from the vehicle or handled in the case of self-defense, defense of another, defense of property, or as authorized by the owner, lessee, or occupant of the property (KRS 237.106(3)).
• An employer that fires, disciplines, demotes, or otherwise punishes an employee who is lawfully exercising rights under this section shall be liable in civil damages. An employee may seek and the court shall grant an injunction against a violating employer (KRS 237.106(4)).

Exceptions to KRS 237.106 — the vehicle firearms protection does not apply to:

• Real property owned, leased, or occupied by the United States government where possession or carrying of firearms is prohibited or controlled
• Detention facilities as defined in KRS 520.010
• Locations where a section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes specifically prohibits possession or carrying of firearms

Concealed Carry Without a Permit (Permitless/Constitutional Carry)

Under KRS 527.020(9), the concealed carry prohibition does not apply to a person carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a CCDW license if:

• They are on real property they or their spouse, parent, grandparent, or child owns (with owner's permission)
• They are on real property they or their spouse, parent, grandparent, or child leases (with lessee's permission)
• They are the sole proprietor of a business, on real property owned or leased by the business

Note: Kentucky is a permitless carry state (constitutional carry), meaning persons 21 and older who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms may carry concealed without a CCDW license throughout the Commonwealth.

Penalties for Unlawful Concealed Carry

Per KRS 527.020(10) (referenced as subsection (9) in some versions), carrying a concealed weapon unlawfully is:

• A Class A misdemeanor (general violation)
• A Class D felony if the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony in which a deadly weapon was possessed, used, or displayed

Important Considerations

• The Kentucky State Police advises that the information regarding vehicle carry is provided for convenience and is not intended to constitute a formal legal opinion or legal advice.
• If there are questions about whether a particular means of transportation would violate the prohibition against carrying a concealed deadly weapon, individuals are advised to consult an attorney.
• Federal law and restrictions on federal property still apply regardless of Kentucky state law.