Kentucky Concealed Carry Laws & Information

We try to stay as up to date as possible, but always check with local law enforcement to be sure about which states honor your states permit.

The following states have permitless carry. This means that if you can legally possess a firearm in that state you can carry it concealed without a permit/license. You still have to abide by all conceaeled carry laws in that state. Please note that the last three states only allow residents to carry without a permit/license. Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, Idaho (Residents Only), North Dakota (Residents Only), Wyoming (Residents Only).

Information compiled from various state government and private sites from around the web.

Reciprocity: How This State Honors Other States Permits & Licenses

Kentucky honors all other states Permit/Licenses. Kentucky also Honors Non-Resident Permits/Licenses From the States They Honor.

KRS 237.110 License to Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon

(20) (a) A person who is not a resident of Kentucky and who has a valid license issued by another state of the United States to carry a concealed deadly weapon in that state may, subject to provisions of Kentucky law, carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, and his or her license shall be considered as valid in Kentucky.

How to Apply for a Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit

The Process for Application and Renewal can be seen at the KY State Police Website here.

KRS 237.110

(7) (a) 2. An applicant, in lieu of a paper application, may submit an electronic application for a license, renewal of a license and an Emergency Protective Order License to carry a concealed deadly weapon to the Department of Kentucky State Police. You can go to the Online Application here.

Kentucky now has online Applications, Renewal and for those who need an Emergency License because of a Protective Order. You have to register. See the Qualifications for CCDW to see if you qualify.

An applicant can also apply for a CCDW license by completing an application form obtained at the sheriff's office in his or her county of residence. The applicant must also pay the $60 application fee at the time of application (active and retired peace officers that meet the requirements of KRS 237.110(7) are exempt from paying the application or renewal fee). The sixty-dollar fee is to be allocated as follows:

Payment of twenty dollars ($20.00) to the sheriff of your county of residence.

The second payment, should be a check or money order in the amount of forty dollars ($40.00), made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

Applications that are not accompanied by a check or money order for forty dollars ($40.00) payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer will be returned unprocessed to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence. The application will be sent to the Kentucky State Police within five working days. The application form, completed under oath, must include the following:

Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender and Social Security Number
Recent color photograph: full head shot no smaller than 3 ½ x 4 nor larger than 4x5 inches.
A photocopy of a certificate or an affidavit or document certifying completion of a firearms training
Course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training.

The CCDW License Application - Citizenship Affidavit (KSP 131) must be completed and submitted to the sheriff of your county of residence to be attached to the application. You can download the KSP 131 by clicking here.

KRS 237.122 (8) No firearms instructor trainer or certified firearms instructor shall charge a fee in excess of seventy-five dollars ($75) for the conduct of an applicant training course. An instructor trainer or certified firearms instructor may charge a student the actual cost of range use, targets and associated range materials, and classroom rental not to exceed ten dollars ($10) for all of the items specified in this subsection.

Renewal Process

Not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration date of a CCDW license, the Department of State Police shall mail to each licensee a written notice of the expiration and a renewal form. If you wish to renew your CCDW license, you must take the renewal notice, a CCDW License Citizenship/ Immigration Status Affidavit and a color photograph to the Sheriff of your county of residence. You can download the CCDW License Citizenship/Immigration Status Affidavit (KSP 131) here and to be submitted with the renewal form to the Sheriff of your county of residence by clicking here.

The photograph must be in color.
The photograph must be no less than three and one-half (3 ½) inches by four (4) inches and no more than four (4) inches by five (5) inches.
The photograph shall display the full front of the head and the facial features of the applicant.
The applicant shall not wear sunglasses or attire that obscures their facial features in the photograph.
The photograph shall be an original photograph or a photographic copy developed from the negative of an original photograph and must not be an image produced by a computer, copier or other copy machine.

If you fail to renew your license on or before the expiration date and wish to renew your license, you will be required to pay an additional late fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00).

To pay the renewal fee, you must submit a payment to the Sheriff in the amount of twenty dollars and a check or money order in the amount of forty dollars (fifty five dollars if the renewal application is submitted after the expiration date of the license) payable to the Department of State Police.

If six months or more has passed since the expiration date of your license, your license has permanently expired and cannot be renewed. If your license has permanently expired, you may reapply for licensure pursuant to KRS 237.110 by obtaining a CCDW application from the Sheriff of your county of residence.

KRS 403.715 thur 403.785 (1) A petitioner for an order of protection granted under KRS 403.715 to 403.785 may apply for a temporary permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon on or about his or her person into those places and under the same conditions as a person holding a carry concealed deadly weapon license issued under KRS 237.110. (See complete Law)

If you plan to move into Kentucky see Non-Resident Permit Section Below.

How to Obtain A Non-Resident Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit

Kentucky will issue a License to Carry to military personnel if: Is a citizen of the United States who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is on active duty, who is at the time of application assigned to a military posting in Kentucky (If you meet the above requirement you would apply like a resident.)

KRS 237.110

(20)

(b) If a person with a valid license to carry a concealed deadly weapon issued from another state that has entered into a reciprocity agreement with the Department of Kentucky State Police becomes a resident of Kentucky, the license issued by the other state shall be considered as valid for the first one hundred and twenty (120) days of the person's residence in Kentucky, if within sixty (60) days of moving to Kentucky, the person completes a form promulgated by the Department of Kentucky State Police which shall include:

(c) Within sixty (60) days of moving to Kentucky, the person shall deliver the form and accompanying documents by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address indicated on the form provided by the Department of Kentucky State Police pursuant to this subsection. (Note: See Complete Law)

Places You Can Not Carry Even With a Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit

KRS 237.110

(16) Except as provided in KRS 527.020, no license issued pursuant to this section 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, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a member of the body, holding a concealed deadly weapon license, from carrying a concealed deadly weapon 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 of the establishment 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 as defined in KRS 199.011, any day-care center as defined in KRS 199.894, or any certified family child-care home as defined in KRS 199.8982, except however, 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;

(g) An area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property; or

(h) Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.

(17) The owner, business or commercial lessee, or manager of a private business enterprise, day-care center as defined in KRS 199.894 or certified or licensed family child-care home as defined in KRS 199.8982, or a health-care facility licensed under KRS Chapter 216B, except facilities renting or leasing housing, may prohibit persons holding concealed deadly weapon licenses from carrying concealed deadly weapons on the premises and may prohibit employees, not authorized by the employer, holding concealed deadly weapons licenses from carrying concealed deadly weapons on the property of the employer. If the building or the premises are open to the public, the employer or business enterprise shall post signs on or about the premises if carrying concealed weapons is prohibited. Possession of weapons, or ammunition, or both in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the weapons, or ammunition, or both are not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. A private but not a public employer may prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed deadly weapons license from carrying concealed deadly weapons, or ammunition, or both in vehicles owned by the employer, but may not prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed deadly weapons license from carrying concealed deadly weapons, or ammunition, or both in vehicles owned by the employee, except that the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet may prohibit an employee from carrying any weapons, or ammunition, or both other than the weapons, or ammunition, or both issued or authorized to be used by the employee of the cabinet, in a vehicle while transporting persons under the employee's supervision or jurisdiction. Carrying of a concealed weapon, or ammunition, or both in a location specified in this subsection by a license holder shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial from the premises or removal from the premises, and, if an employee of an employer, disciplinary measures by the employer.

An area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of Possession of weapons, or ammunition, or both in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the weapons, or ammunition, or both are not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. A private but not a public employer may prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed deadly weapons license from carrying concealed deadly weapons, or ammunition, or both in vehicles owned by the employer, but may not prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed deadly weapons license from carrying concealed deadly weapons, or ammunition, or both in vehicles owned by the employee, except that the Justice Cabinet may prohibit an employee from carrying any weapons, or ammunition, or both other than the weapons, or ammunition, or both issued or authorized to be used Page 6 of 11 by the employee of the cabinet, in a vehicle while transporting persons under the employee's supervision or jurisdiction.

Land Between The Lakes (USDA Forest Service (Valid Permit/License Carry Allowed)

United States Department of Agriculture
United States Forest Service
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area
ORDER NO. 60-01-13 and 60-09-13

Pursuant to the provisions of 16 U.S.C. Section 551, and Title 36 C.F.R. Section 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts or omissions are prohibited on lands and waters within the legislative jurisdiction of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Land between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The area consists of over 170,000 acres of National Forest land located in Trigg and Lyon County in Kentucky and Stewart County in Tennessee, and is depicted on the attached map.

1. Possession of firearms is prohibited except during legal firearms hunting seasons by licensed hunters and going to and from the LBL-NRA firearms range. Firearms must be cased and unloaded during transport. 36 CFR 261.53(e).

2. Firearms possessed during legal hunting seasons by licensed hunters must be cased and unloaded (chamber and magazine) while being transported in a motorized vehicle. 36 CFR 261.53(e).

The above prohibited acts are set forth in Title 36 C.F.R, Section 261.
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(e) the following persons are exempt from the provisions of the above order.

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act.

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer in the performance of an official duty.

An email received last April 2010 by Kathryn Harper Manager, Communication Services USDA Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/

Below is the information LE&I provides to the public in regards to possessing firearms at LBL NRA:

1. Possession of firearms is prohibited except during legal firearms hunting seasons by licensed hunters and going to and from the LBL NRA firearms range. Firearms must be cased and unloaded during transport.

2. Firearms possessed during legal hunting seasons by licensed hunters must be cased and unloaded (chamber + magazine) while being transported in a motorized vehicle.

3. LBL LE&I also states that the concealed firearms carry permit does not apply to LBL NRA at this time, although the LE officers at LBL will honor the concealed carry permit if there are no other aggravating circumstances. Examples of aggravating circumstances are, but not limited to, violation of the concealed carry permit itself, shooting from a roadway, or shooting outside of the LBL firearms range”.

Firearms on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA Property)

4. Firearms and Weapons - TVA campgrounds may receive use by hunters during hunting season. While firearms and weapons are generally prohibited, possession of firearms and other weapons associated with in-season hunting excursions are permissible if they are unloaded and properly cased. Possession of firearms at TVA public ramps, associated roads, and parking areas are allowed if the possession complies with the law of the state where the boat ramp is located and is not otherwise prohibited by law.

In Day Use Areas, Campgrounds, and other developed recreational TVA lands are still off limits. TVA lands where Hunting is presently allowed, Undeveloped Shorelines, Boat Ramps, Boat Ramp Parking Areas and Associated Roads for those areas is where carry will be allowed.

KRS 527.020

(9) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who carries a concealed deadly weapon on or about his or her person without a license issued pursuant to KRS 237.110:

(a) If he or she is the owner of the property or has the permission of the owner of the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, grandparent, or child owns;

(b) If he or she is the lessee of the property or has the permission of the lessee of the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, grandparent, or child occupies pursuant to a lease; or

“No Gun Signs” Do not Have the Force of Law

KRS 237.110

“No Firearm” signs in Kentucky have no force of law 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. If you are in a place not specifically mentioned in the law that is posted and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave then you are breaking the law and can be charged. Even if the property is not posted and you are asked to leave you must leave. Always be aware of the possibility that responding Police Officers who may have been called without your knowledge and may not know the laws on trespass etc. could arrest you even if you are within the law.

Laws Regarding Parking Lot Storage

KRS 237.106 Right of Employees and Other Persons to Possess Firearms in Vehicle -- Employer Liable for Denying Right -- Exceptions

(1) 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.

Must Inform Officer Immediately on Contact By Law?

In Kentucky, not necessarily, because the law does not require you to inform an Officer that you have a permit/license to carry.

KRS 237.110 (15) The licensee shall carry the license at all times the licensee is carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon and shall display the license upon request of a law enforcement officer. Violation of the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a noncriminal violation with a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25), payable to the clerk of the District Court, but no court costs shall be assessed.

Carry In State Parks//WMA/Road Side Rest Areas & St. /Nat. Forests

Carry is Allowed in these Areas:

State Parks: YES; No Statute/Admin Rule against it.
State/National Forests: YES; No Statute/Admin Rule against it.
State WMA’s: YES; 301 KAR 3:010 (No Statute/Reg stating it is illegal).
Road Side Rest Areas: YES

Car/RV Carry Without a Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit

KRS 527.020 Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon

(8) A loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon shall not be deemed concealed on or about the person if it is located in any enclosed container, compartment, or storage space [regularly] 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. 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 the provisions of this subsection may be the subject of an action for appropriate relief or for damages in a Circuit Court or District Court of competent jurisdiction. This subsection shall not apply to any person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040.

Open Carry (Without a Valid Permit/License)

Open Carry is legal in Kentucky. Not all places listed in the “Places Off Limits” apply to those who are Open Carrying. It is up to you to know what laws apply to you when Open Carrying. When open carrying, be prepared for Police Officers to question you as open carrying firearm gets their attention. See the “RV/Car Carry Without a Permit” section for carrying in a vehicle.

The state preempts all firearm laws in the state and local authorities can’t have Laws/Ordinances against open carry. Remember that if you enter any property and the owner/responsible person ask you to leave, you must leave. Failure to leave can result in Trespass Charges. Kentucky Government White Paper on Open Carry can be seen here. The Minimum age for Open Carry is 18.

Open Carry could be forbidden in places where those with a valid permit/license can carry, please continue reading for more.

State Preemption

KRS 65.870 Local Firearms Control Ordinances Prohibited

(1) No existing or future city, county, urban-county government, charter county, consolidated local government, unified local government, special district, local or regional public or quasi-public agency, board, commission, department, public corporation, or any person acting under the authority of any of these organizations may occupy any part of the field of regulation of the manufacture, sale, purchase, taxation, transfer, ownership, possession, carrying, storage, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, components of ammunition, firearms accessories, or combination thereof.

(2) Any existing or future ordinance, executive order, administrative regulation, policy, procedure, rule, or any other form of executive or legislative action in violation of this section or the spirit thereof is hereby declared null, void, and unenforceable.

(3) Any person or organization specified in subsection (1) of this section shall repeal, rescind, or amend to conform, any ordinance, administrative regulation, executive order, policy, procedure, rule, or other form of executive or legislative action in violation of this section or the spirit thereof within six (6) months after the effective date of this Act July 12, 2012.

(4) Pursuant to Section 231 of the Constitution of Kentucky insofar as any person or organization specified in subsection (1) of this section is considered an agent of the Commonwealth, it is the intent of the General Assembly to exempt them from any immunity provided in Section 231 of the Constitution of Kentucky to the extent provided in this section. A person or an organization whose membership is adversely affected by any ordinance, administrative regulation, executive order, policy, procedure, rule or any other form of executive or legislative action promulgated or caused to be enforced in violation of this section or the spirit thereof may file suit against any person or organization specified in subsection (1) of this section in any court of this state having jurisdiction over any defendant to the suit for declaratory and injunctive relief. A court shall award the prevailing party in any such suit:

(a) Reasonable attorney's fees and costs in accordance with the laws of this state; and

(b) Expert witness fees and expenses.

(5) If any person or organization specified in subsection (1) of this section violates this section or the spirit thereof, the court shall declare the improper ordinance, administrative regulation, executive order, policy, procedure, rule, or other form of executive or legislative action specified in subsection (1) of this section null, void, and unenforceable, and issue a permanent injunction against the person or organization specified in subsection (1) of this section prohibiting the enforcement of such ordinance, administrative regulation, executive order, policy, procedure, rule, or any other form of executive or legislative action specified in subsection (1) of this section.

(6) A violation of this section by a public servant shall be a violation of either KRS 522.020 or 522.030 depending on the circumstances of the violation.

(7) The provisions of this section shall not apply where a statute specifically authorizes or directs an agency or person specified in subsection (1) of this section to regulate a subject specified in subsection (1) of this section. Effective: July 12, 2012.

Laws Regarding Deadly Force

Title L – Kentucky Penal Code

Chapter 503 General Principles of Justification

KRS 503.010 Definitions for chapter

KRS 503.020 Justification -- A defense

KRS 503.030 Choice of evils

KRS 503.040 Execution of public duty

KRS 503.050 Use of physical force in self-protection -- Admissibility of evidence of prior acts of domestic violence and abuse

KRS 503.055 Use of defensive force regarding dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle -- Exceptions

KRS 503.060 Improper use of physical force in self-protection

KRS 503.070 Protection of another

KRS 503.080 Protection of property

KRS 503.085 Justification and criminal and civil immunity for use of permitted force -- Exceptions

KRS 503.090 Use of physical force in law enforcement

KRS 503.100 Prevention of a suicide or crime

KRS 503.110 Use of force by person with responsibility for care, discipline, or safety of others

KRS 503.120 Justification -- General provisions

May Carry in Restaurants that serve Alcohol

In Kentucky, carry in restaurant that serve Alcohol is allowed according to KRS 237.110.

Laws Regarding Chemical Sprays, Stun Guns, and Higher Capacity Magazines

As of the moment, there are no restrictions in Kentucky Law concerning Chemical Sprays, Stun Guns Or Higher Capacity Magazine Bans.

LEOSA State Information

Kentucky LEOSA Info
Kentucky LEOSA Info 2
Kentucky LEOSA Info 3
LEOSA KRS 527.020

(5) (a) The following persons, if they hold a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to KRS 237.110 or 237.138 to 237.142, may carry a firearm or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all times and at all locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without any limitation other than as provided in this subsection:

1. A Commonwealth's attorney or assistant Commonwealth's attorney;

2. A retired Commonwealth's attorney or retired assistant Commonwealth's attorney;

3. A county attorney or assistant county attorney;

4. A retired county attorney or retired assistant county attorney;

5. A justice or judge of the Court of Justice;

6. A retired or senior status justice or judge of the Court of Justice; and

7. A retired peace officer who holds a concealed deadly weapon license issued pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. sec. 926C, and KRS 237.138 to 237.142.

A New Section of KRS Chapter 237 (4/13/16) Off-duty peace officers authorized to do so by the government employing the officer and retired peace officers certified under KRS 237.138 to 237.142 may carry concealed firearms on or about their persons at all times and at any location within the Commonwealth where an on-duty peace officer is permitted to carry firearms.

Airport Carry and Other Misc. Information

Airport Carry: Parking Lots and Terminal OK. KRS 237.11

Training Valid for: No Set Time Period

Time Period to Establish Residency: Upon Obtaining Drivers License/State Issued ID

Minimum Age for Permit/License: 21 Years Old

Permit/License Info Public Information: NO

State Reciprocity/How They Honor Other States Statute: KRS 237.110

State Fire arm Laws: KRS 237.020 thru 237.990

State Deadly Force Laws: KRS 503.010 thru 503.120

State Knife Laws: KRS 500.08

Chemical/Electric Weapons Laws: No Laws found

Body Armor Laws: No laws found

Does Your Permit Cover Other Weapons Besides Firearms? YES; KRS 237.110

Is carrying of a Concealed Firearm with Permit/License for Defensive Purposes Only While Hunting Legal? YES; KY Hunting and Trapping Guide

What Does Kentucky Consider A Loaded Firearm?

KRS 237.060 Definitions for KRS 237.060 to 237.090 and Certain Other Sections

(4) "Loaded" with respect to a firearm means:

(a) There is ammunition in the chamber of the firearm; or

(b) There is ammunition in the cylinder of the firearm; or

(c) There is ammunition in the magazine of a firearm, if the magazine is attached to the firearm.

State Emergency Powers

KRS 237.104 Rights to Acquire, Carry, and Use Deadly Weapons Not to Be Impaired During Disaster or Emergency -- Seizure of Deadly Weapons During Disaster or Emergency Prohibited -- Application of Section

(1) No person, unit of government, or governmental organization shall, during a period of disaster or emergency as specified in KRS Chapter 39A or at any other time, have the right to revoke, suspend, limit the use of, or otherwise impair the validity of the right of any person to purchase, transfer, loan, own, possess, carry, or use a firearm, firearm part, ammunition, ammunition component, or any deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

(2) No person, unit of government, or governmental organization shall, during a period of disaster or emergency as specified in KRS Chapter 39A or at any other time, take, seize, confiscate, or impound a firearm, firearm part, ammunition, ammunition component, or any deadly weapon or dangerous instrument from any person.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the taking of an item specified in subsection (1) or (2) of this section from a person who is:

(a) Forbidden to possess a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040;

(b) Forbidden to possess a firearm pursuant to federal law;

(c) Violating KRS 527.020;

(d) In possession of a stolen firearm;

(e) Using a firearm in the commission of a separate criminal offense; or

(f) Using a firearm or other weapon in the commission of an offense under KRS Chapter 150. Effective: July 12, 2006.

The Federal Law can apply if the state is receiving monetary and/or other assistance from the Federal Government. See US Code 42-5207 for Federal Law as it applies to States of Emergencies. The state quoted code may also not be all of the law on Emergency Powers held by the state. You should read the entire code on Emergency Powers etc for this state by following the link to the state code.

Minimum Age for Possessing and Transporting of Handguns

Kentucky: 18 Years Old

Title L KY Penal Code, KRS 527.100

This is the minimum age for possessing and transporting a handgun unloaded and secured in a vehicle without any type of permit/license to carry firearms.

In some states, Possession and Transportation can be very restrictive in that you can only possess and transport a handgun to and from a Shooting Range, Gun Shop, property you own or other places you can legally possess a handgun. Some states do not have this restriction.