Kentucky Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Kentucky have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Kentucky does not ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Background checks are not required for private, unlicensed firearm sales. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal law requires background checks through licensed dealers. |
| Is Kentucky a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Kentucky has both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections. |
| What kind of restrictions does Kentucky have? |
|
| Does Kentucky have any gun storage laws? | 🚫 No. There is no general firearm storage or child access prevention law. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Kentucky? | ✅ Yes. There are no restrictions on the number of firearms you can purchase. |
| Does Kentucky have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. Kentucky does not have a red flag or ERPO law. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Kentucky? | 🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. No permit is required to purchase firearms. |
| Does Kentucky have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. Kentucky does not impose any waiting period. |
🚫 No. Kentucky does not ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.
🚫 No. Background checks are not required for private, unlicensed firearm sales.
✅ Yes. Federal law requires background checks through licensed dealers.
✅ Yes. Kentucky has both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections.
- ℹ️ Permitless carry for those 21 and older
- ℹ️ No registration or purchase permit required
- ℹ️ No state-imposed magazine or weapon bans
- ℹ️ Background checks required only via dealers
🚫 No. There is no general firearm storage or child access prevention law.
✅ Yes. There are no restrictions on the number of firearms you can purchase.
🚫 No. Kentucky does not have a red flag or ERPO law.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required.
🚫 No. No permit is required to purchase firearms.
🚫 No. Kentucky does not impose any waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Kentucky allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older. |
| Does Kentucky allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 21 and older (since 2019). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Legal. Stun guns, tasers, and pepper spray are permitted for self-defense. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public areas, private property (unless prohibited), and in vehicles. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, federal buildings, courtrooms, detention facilities, and anywhere clearly posted “no weapons.” |
| States honored? | ✅ Kentucky honors all valid concealed carry permits from other states. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Kentucky CCDW is recognized in the following states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Kentucky concealed carry laws apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Kentucky State Police issues CCDWs Optional. Kentucky offers CCDWs (Concealed Deadly Weapons licenses) for reciprocity with other states. |
✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older.
✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 21 and older (since 2019).
✅ Legal. Stun guns, tasers, and pepper spray are permitted for self-defense.
✅ Most public areas, private property (unless prohibited), and in vehicles.
🚫 Schools, federal buildings, courtrooms, detention facilities, and anywhere clearly posted “no weapons.”
✅ Kentucky honors all valid concealed carry permits from other states.
✅ Kentucky CCDW is recognized in the following states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Kentucky concealed carry laws apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Kentucky State Police issues CCDWs Optional. Kentucky offers CCDWs (Concealed Deadly Weapons licenses) for reciprocity with other states.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal Information | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Kentucky Leadership
- Born: November 29, 1977 (Louisville, KY)
- Term Started: December 10, 2019
- Previous Role: Attorney General of Kentucky
- Born: February 20, 1942 (Sheffield, AL)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 1985
- Previous Role: Senate Minority Leader (since 2021)
- Committees:
- Rules and Administration
- Appropriations
- Judiciary
- Born: January 7, 1963 (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2011
- Committees:
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Foreign Relations
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs