As of June 28, 2019, pursuant to 2019 Senate Bill 150, any person age twenty-one (21) or older who is otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Overview
Kentucky Concealed Carry Laws Overview
Permitless (Constitutional) Carry
As of June 28, 2019, pursuant to 2019 Senate Bill 150, any person age twenty-one (21) or older who is otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as persons with a valid Kentucky CCDW license issued under KRS 237.110.
Who Can Carry Concealed Without a License
Any person over 21 years of age who is 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
Visitors to Kentucky who are residents of other states or foreign countries may carry concealed if they are eligible to possess a firearm under the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without regard to their citizenship or state of residence
CCDW License (Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons)
Although permitless carry is legal in Kentucky, the state continues to issue CCDW licenses through the Department of Kentucky State Police under KRS 237.110.
Reasons to Obtain a CCDW License
Most other states still require a license for concealed carry; Kentucky's permitless carry laws do not apply out of state
A 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
Required for reciprocity recognition in other states
License Details
Validity: 5 years from the date of issuance (unless suspended or revoked)
Application Fee: $60 total ($20 to the sheriff of the county of residence; $40 check/money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer)
Renewal Fee: $60 (same allocation as application fee)
Late Renewal Fee: Additional $15 if renewed after expiration date
Duplicate License Fee: $15
Processing Time: Kentucky State Police shall issue a license or send a denial notice within 90 days after receipt of a completed application
Issuing Authority: Department of Kentucky State Police
Active and retired peace officers meeting requirements of KRS 237.110(7) are exempt from application and renewal fees
Application Requirements
Must be completed at the sheriff's office in the applicant's county of residence
Application completed under oath including name, address, date of birth, gender, and Social Security number
Recent color photograph meeting specified standards
Photocopy of a certificate of completion of a firearms training course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training
Non-U.S. citizens must complete a Citizenship Affidavit (KSP 131)
Online application available at the KSP CCDW portal
Training Requirements
Completion of a firearms training course approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training is required
A valid training certificate is good for life
Training waivers are available for:
Currently certified Kentucky peace officers (KRS 15.380–15.404)
Retired Kentucky peace officers who are members of qualifying retirement systems
Current and retired federal peace officers from agencies specified in KRS 61.365 or who completed required basic law enforcement training
Military peace officers who completed required military law enforcement training
Certain corrections officers from consolidated local or urban-county governments
Active or honorably discharged U.S. military service members who successfully completed handgun training or qualification
No transfer of out-of-state training or licenses is authorized
Renewal Process
Written notice of expiration and renewal form mailed 120 days prior to expiration
License permanently expires 6 months after the expiration date and cannot be renewed; the person must reapply (KRS 237.110(14)(c))
Weapons Covered Under the CCDW License
As defined by KRS 500.080, deadly weapons covered include:
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
Shiriken or death star
Artificial knuckles made from plastic or other similar hard material
Prohibited Locations
Concealed carry (with or without a license) is prohibited in the following locations per KRS 237.110 and KRS 527.020:
Any police station or sheriff's office
Any detention facility, prison, or jail
Any courthouse, Court of Justice courtroom, or court proceeding
Any meeting of the governing body of a county, municipality, or special district (exception: members of the body holding a CCDW license may carry at their own body's meetings)
Any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee thereof (same exception for members)
Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense beer or alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption that is primarily devoted to that purpose
Any elementary or secondary school facility without consent of school authorities (per KRS 527.070)
Any child-caring facility (KRS 199.011), day-care center (KRS 199.894), or certified family child-care home (KRS 199.8982) — exception: owners of certified child-care homes may carry in their own residence
Areas of an airport where access is controlled by inspection of persons and property
Any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal law
Additional Restrictions
State and local government entities and postsecondary education facilities (colleges, universities, technical schools, community colleges) may limit concealed carry on property they own or control (KRS 237.115)
KRS 527.070 prohibits unlawful possession (open or concealed) of a weapon on school property, with certain exceptions
KRS 244.125 prohibits loaded firearms (concealed or otherwise) in places where alcohol is sold by the drink, with certain exceptions
Private property owners may exclude persons carrying firearms; failure to vacate when asked could result in criminal trespass charges
Vehicle Carry
Per KRS 527.020(8), a loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon is not deemed concealed if located in any enclosed container, compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer (including glove compartment, center console, or seat pocket), regardless of whether it is locked or unlocked. No person or organization, public or private, may prohibit a person from keeping a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle under this provision. This does not apply to persons prohibited from possessing a firearm under KRS 527.040.
Open Carry
There are no Kentucky Revised Statutes that generally govern the open carry of firearms by persons who lawfully possess them, except:
KRS 527.070 — Unlawful possession on school property
KRS 244.125 — Loaded firearms in places where alcohol is sold by the drink
Penalties
Carrying a concealed weapon (by a person not authorized): Class A misdemeanor; Class D felony if previously convicted of a felony involving a deadly weapon (KRS 527.020(9))
Failure to carry CCDW license while carrying concealed (for license holders): Non-criminal violation, $25 fine
Failure to notify KSP of address change within 30 days: Non-criminal violation, $25 penalty
Possession of a handgun by a minor (under 18): Class A misdemeanor for first offense; Class D felony for subsequent offenses (KRS 527.100)
Disqualifiers for CCDW License (Denial, Suspension, or Revocation)
Conviction of a felony (no time limitation)
Being under indictment for a felony
Conviction of Assault 4th degree within past 3 years
Conviction of terroristic threatening 3rd degree within past 3 years
Conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled substance within past 3 years
Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (no time limitation)
Being an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance
Conviction of two DUIs within past 3 years
Commitment for alcohol or drug abuse within past 3 years
Adjudication as incompetent or involuntary commitment to a mental institution
Active emergency protective order or domestic violence order
Child support arrearage equal to or exceeding one year of nonpayment (if KSP notified by Cabinet for Health and Family Services)
Failure to comply with subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings
Being a fugitive from justice
Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
Being ineligible to purchase, receive, or possess a firearm or ammunition under state or federal law
Out-of-State License Holders Moving to Kentucky
Per KRS 237.110(20), a person with a valid out-of-state concealed carry license from a state with a reciprocity agreement with Kentucky may use that license for the first 120 days of Kentucky residency, provided they complete and submit the required KSP form within 60 days of moving. The out-of-state license becomes invalid upon the earlier of 120 days of residency or issuance of a Kentucky CCDW license.
EPO/DVO Temporary Concealed Carry Permit
KRS 403.754 authorizes an EPO/DVO temporary concealed carry permit for eligible petitioners for an order of protection. Applications are accepted electronically at the KSP CCDW portal.
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