Kentucky Concealed Carry Laws

Permitless (Constitutional) Carry

Kentucky is a permitless carry state. As of the enactment of permitless carry legislation, any person who meets the following criteria may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must be eligible to lawfully possess a firearm under both state and federal law
• Persons under age 21 may be eligible to possess a firearm but are not allowed to carry it concealed in Kentucky
• Persons over 21 who are not eligible to lawfully possess a firearm may legally possess other deadly weapons but are not permitted to carry any deadly weapon concealed

Permitless carry applies to any person eligible to possess a firearm under the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, regardless of citizenship or state of residence.

Note: Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply out of state. Carry of concealed deadly weapons by Kentucky residents visiting other states is governed by the laws of those other states.

CCDW License (Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon)

Despite permitless carry, Kentucky continues to issue CCDW licenses through the Department of Kentucky State Police pursuant to KRS 237.110.

Reasons to Obtain a CCDW License

• Most other states still require a CCDW license for concealed carry; Kentucky's permitless carry does not extend to other states
• A valid CCDW license serves as a substitute for the NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer
• Provides the holder with training and familiarity with gun laws
• Facilitates reciprocity with other states

License Validity

• Valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance unless suspended or revoked
• Valid throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Eligibility Requirements (KRS 237.110)

The applicant must:

• (a) Not be prohibited from the purchase, receipt, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or both pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g), 18 U.S.C. 922(n), or applicable federal or state law
• (b) Be one of the following:
  1. A citizen of the United States who is a resident of Kentucky
  2. A U.S. citizen who is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty assigned to a military posting in Kentucky
  3. Lawfully admitted to the United States, permitted by federal law to purchase a firearm, and a resident of Kentucky
  4. Lawfully admitted to the United States, permitted by federal law to purchase a firearm, and assigned to a military posting in Kentucky
• (c) Be twenty-one (21) years of age or older
• (d) Not have been committed to a state or federal facility for controlled substance abuse or convicted of a misdemeanor violation of KRS Chapter 218A (or similar laws of any other state) within the three (3) years immediately preceding the application
• (e) Not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages, as evidenced by two or more DUI convictions (KRS 189A.010) within the three years preceding the application, or having been committed as an alcoholic within the preceding three years
• (f) Not owe a child support arrearage equaling or exceeding the cumulative amount owed after one year of nonpayment (if KSP has been notified by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services)
• (g) Have complied with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings

Background Check

Prior to issuance, the Department of Kentucky State Police conducts a background check including:

• A state records check
• A federal records check including a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check
• A federal Immigration Alien Query (if applicable)
• Consultation with federal agencies (DHS, DOJ, State Department) if doubt exists regarding an alien's eligibility

Grounds for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation

• Conviction of a felony
• Being under indictment for a felony
• Conviction of Assault in the fourth degree within the past three years
• Conviction of terroristic threatening in the third degree within the past three years
• Conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled substance within the past three years
• Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (no time limitation)
• Being an unlawful user of, or being addicted to, any controlled substance
• Conviction of two DUIs within the past three years
• Commitment for alcohol or drug abuse within the past three years
• Adjudication as incompetent or involuntary commitment to a mental institution
• An active emergency protective order or domestic violence order
• Owing child support arrearage (as described above)
• Failure to comply with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings
• Being a fugitive from justice
• Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
• A discrepancy concerning age or training requirements
• Being ineligible to purchase, receive, or possess a firearm, ammunition, or both under state or federal law

Note: Some disqualifiers have a three-year limitation; others (such as felony conviction or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence) have no time limitation.

Weapons Covered Under the CCDW License

The CCDW license covers "deadly weapons" as defined by KRS 500.080, including:

• Any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or serious physical injury, may be discharged
• Any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife
• Billy, nightstick, or club
• Blackjack or slapjack
• Nunchaku karate sticks
• Shuriken or death star
• Artificial knuckles made from plastic or other similar hard material

Prohibited Locations

No license issued pursuant to KRS 237.110 shall authorize any person to carry a concealed firearm into:

• (a) Any police station or sheriff's office
• (b) Any detention facility, prison, or jail
• (c) Any courthouse, solely occupied by the Court of Justice courtroom, or court proceeding
• (d) Any meeting of the governing body of a county, municipality, or special district; or any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly (exception: a member of the body holding a CCDW license may carry at a meeting of the body of which he or she is a member)
• (e) Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense beer or alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion is primarily devoted to that purpose
• (f) Any elementary or secondary school facility without the consent of school authorities as provided in KRS 527.070; any child-caring facility (KRS 199.011); any day-care center (KRS 199.894); or any certified family child-care home (KRS 199.8982) — exception: an owner of a certified child-care home may carry a concealed firearm into the owner's residence used as a certified child-care home
• (g) An area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property
• (h) Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law

Additional Restrictions

• Units of state and local governments and postsecondary education facilities (colleges, universities, technical schools, and community colleges) have the authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them (KRS 237.115)
• Kentucky law does not prohibit the owners of private premises from excluding persons carrying firearms
• Permitless carry holders are subject to the same location restrictions as CCDW license holders

Carrying a Concealed Weapon — Penalties (KRS 527.020)

• Carrying a concealed weapon (without authorization) is a Class A misdemeanor
• If the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony in which a deadly weapon was possessed, used, or displayed, it is a Class D felony

Firearms in Vehicles (KRS 237.110)

A loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon is not deemed 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, including but not limited to:

• Glove compartment
• Center console
• Seat pocket

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

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 these provisions. Violations may be the subject of an action for relief or damages in Circuit Court or District Court. This provision does not apply to any person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040.

License Holder Obligations

Possession of License

Failure to have the CCDW license in possession when carrying a concealed firearm or deadly weapon is a non-criminal violation punishable by a $25.00 fine.

Address Change Notification

License holders must notify the Kentucky State Police within thirty (30) days after changing a permanent address. Failure to do so is a non-criminal violation with a penalty of $25.00 payable to the clerk of the District Court. Address changes are made by completing form KSP 121 at the office of the Sheriff of the county of residence.

Reciprocity

Out-of-State License Holders in Kentucky (KRS 237.110(20))

(a) A person who is not a resident of Kentucky and who has a valid license issued by another state to carry a concealed deadly weapon may, subject to Kentucky law, carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky. The out-of-state license is considered valid in Kentucky.

(b) If a person with a valid out-of-state concealed carry license from a state that has a reciprocity agreement with the Department of Kentucky State Police becomes a resident of Kentucky, the out-of-state license is considered valid for the first 120 days of residency, provided that within 60 days of moving to Kentucky, the person completes a form promulgated by KSP including:

• A signed and notarized statement that the license is valid and has not been revoked or suspended
• Personal information (name, DOB, citizenship, gender, SSN if applicable, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, former and current addresses, date Kentucky residence began, issuing state and license number)
• A photocopy of the out-of-state license

(c) The form must be delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to KSP within 60 days of moving to Kentucky.

(d) The out-of-state license becomes invalid in Kentucky upon the earlier of:

• Having resided in Kentucky for more than 120 days, or
• Being issued a Kentucky CCDW license

Pennsylvania-Kentucky Reciprocity Agreement

Kentucky has a reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania. Under the agreement:

• Kentucky recognizes all valid Pennsylvania concealed carry licenses
• PA license holders carrying in Kentucky must comply with all applicable Kentucky laws, rules, and regulations
• The agreement applies only to concealed firearms, not other types of weapons
• Either party may terminate the agreement upon 30 calendar days' written notice

Special Categories of Persons (KRS 527.020)

Unrestricted Carry (All Times, All Locations)

The following persons, if they hold a CCDW license pursuant to KRS 237.110 or KRS 237.138–237.142, may carry at all times and all locations (with limited exceptions for detention facilities):

1. Commonwealth's attorneys or assistant Commonwealth's attorneys (active and retired)
2. County attorneys or assistant county attorneys (active and retired)
3. Justices or judges of the Court of Justice (active, retired, or senior status)
4. Retired peace officers holding a LEOSA concealed carry license (18 U.S.C. § 926C and KRS 237.138–237.142)

Law Enforcement

• Elected sheriffs, certified deputy sheriffs, elected jailers, trained deputy jailers, and corrections department employees may carry concealed at all times and locations when expressly authorized by their employing government unit
• Out-of-state full-time paid peace officers and elected sheriffs may carry concealed in Kentucky (on or off duty) if their state accords the same rights to Kentucky officers

Key Statutes

Contact Information

Kentucky State Police — CCDW Section

• Phone: (502) 227-8700
• KSP Headquarters: 919 Versailles Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601
• General: (502) 782-1800

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) — Louisville Field Division

• 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Place, Suite 500, Louisville, KY 40202
• Phone: (502) 753-3400
• Fax: (502) 753-3401