Firearm Laws in Kentucky

Kentucky allows concealed carry without a permit under KRS 237.110. Anyone 21 or older who can legally own a gun can carry it concealed in public. This started in June 2019. You can get a Concealed Deadly Weapons License for reciprocity. You need to be 21, take a training course, and pass a background check. You can't carry in schools or courthouses (KRS 527.070). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 5 years).

Costs: License fee is $50 for 5 years. Training is $75-$150. Total: $125-$200.

Processing Time: Takes 60 days.

Renewal: License lasts 5 years. Renewal is $50.

Reciprocity: Kentucky honors permits from all states. Over 30 states accept Kentucky's permit.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Kentucky allows open carry without a permit under KRS 237.110. Anyone 21 or older who can own a gun can carry it openly in public. You can't carry in schools or courthouses (KRS 527.070). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year).

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Kentucky has no state bans on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines (KRS 237.040). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (KRS 527.020). Violations of federal NFA rules are felonies (up to 10 years).

Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.

Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.

Sources: [1] [2]

Kentucky follows FOPA (18 U.S.C. § 926A). Guns must be unloaded and locked in a case or trunk to travel through. Kentucky allows permitless carry in vehicles (KRS 237.110). You can't carry in schools or courthouses (KRS 527.070). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year).

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4]

Kentucky has no state permit to buy guns. You must be 21 for handguns or 18 for rifles and shotguns (KRS 527.020). Dealers do a federal background check. No waiting period. Private sales don't need a check. Breaking this is a felony (up to 5 years).

Costs: Background check is free. Dealers may charge $10-$20.

Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Kentucky does not require gun registration (KRS 237.110). You don't have to report lost or stolen guns. Federal rules apply to machine guns (KRS 527.020). Breaking federal rules is a felony (up to 10 years).

Costs: Federal tax stamp is $200.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Kentucky has no storage laws. It's illegal to give a gun to a kid under 18 if they might hurt someone (KRS 527.100). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 5 years) if harm happens.

Sources: [1] [2]

Kentucky has a strong Castle Doctrine under KRS 503.055. You can use deadly force in your home or car if someone breaks in and you feel threatened. No retreat is needed. This applies in public too (KRS 503.050). Too much force can mean manslaughter (up to 20 years).

Sources: [1] [2] [3]