Where You Cannot Carry in Kentucky: Prohibited Places

Kentucky Prohibited Locations for Concealed Carry

Under Kentucky law, concealed carry of firearms is prohibited in specific locations. These restrictions apply to both CCDW license holders and those carrying under permitless carry provisions.

Prohibited Locations Under KRS 237.110

A concealed firearm shall not be carried into the following locations:

1. Police stations or sheriff's offices
2. Detention facilities, prisons, or jails
3. Courthouses — specifically, any courthouse solely occupied by the Court of Justice courtroom, or court proceeding
4. Government body meetings — 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 governing body who holds a concealed deadly weapon license may carry a concealed deadly weapon at a meeting of the body of which he or she is a member
5. Establishments serving alcohol — any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense beer or alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose
6. Schools and child-care facilities:
   • Any elementary or secondary school facility without the consent of school authorities as provided in KRS 527.070
   • Any child-caring facility as defined in KRS 199.011
   • Any day-care center as defined in KRS 199.894
   • Any certified family child-care home as defined in KRS 199.8982
   • Exception: Any owner of a certified child-care home may carry a concealed firearm into the owner's residence used as a certified child-care home
7. Restricted airport areas — any area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property
8. Federal prohibited locations — any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law

Additional Restrictions

State and Local Government Property & Postsecondary Education Facilities (KRS 237.115)

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. Carriers should check with these entities prior to carrying a concealed weapon on their property.

School Property — KRS 527.070

KRS 527.070 prohibits unlawful possession of a weapon (whether carried openly or concealed) on school property, including:

• Any public or private school building or bus
• Any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field
• 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

Note: This provision does not apply to institutions of postsecondary or higher education.

Penalty: Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property is a Class D felony, punishable by a maximum of five (5) years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Exemptions to KRS 527.070 include:

• An adult possessing a firearm contained within a vehicle on school property, provided it is not removed from the vehicle (except for permitted purposes) or brandished
• ROTC pupils or students enrolled in courses requiring arms
• Peace officers or police officers authorized to carry under KRS 527.020
• Armed Forces personnel and National Guard members in discharge of official duties
• Civil officers of the United States in discharge of official duties
• Persons authorized by the board of education or board of trustees (e.g., exhibitors of historical displays)
• Persons hunting during lawful season on designated educational institution lands
• Persons possessing unloaded hunting weapons while traversing educational institution grounds to access hunting lands
• Persons at board-approved "gun and knife shows"

Alcohol Establishments — KRS 244.125

KRS 244.125 prohibits loaded firearms (concealed or otherwise) in places where alcohol is sold by the drink, except for certain specified exceptions.

Private Property

Kentucky law does not prohibit the owners of private premises from excluding persons carrying firearms. Failure to vacate private premises when asked to do so could result in a criminal trespass charge.

Vehicles on Property — KRS 237.106

No person (including employers) who owns, leases, or occupies real property shall prohibit any person legally entitled to possess a firearm from possessing a firearm, part of a firearm, ammunition, or ammunition component in a vehicle on the property. Exceptions apply to:

• U.S. government property where firearms are prohibited
• Detention facilities as defined in KRS 520.010
• Locations where Kentucky Revised Statutes specifically prohibit possession or carrying of firearms

Key Statute References