Kentucky Gun Laws

Sweet Home Alabama!

Like most southern states Alabama has some of the most “classically” liberal laws concerning concealed carry. Alabama is unique in that it allows the counties of the state to issue concealed carry permits.

Applications need to be made at your local Sheriff’s office where your residence resides, and you must be 19 years or older to qualify. Good news is there’s no firearm training requirement.

Now, it takes 30 days from your submission of the firearm application to either be denied or granted, but don’t sweat it because the application is easy and not very time consuming.

Kentucky Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted?	Yes!
Carry In Vehicle?	Yes!
Carry In State Park?	Yes!
Carry In Restaurants?	Yes!
Constitutional Carry?	No
No Weapon Sign Enforced?	Yes!
Must Notify Officer?	No

Kentucky CCW Reciprocity List

States Honoring Kentucky CCW

States NOT Honoring Kentucky CCW

Kentucky Honors These States CCW Permits

How Reciprocity Works In Kentucky

Kentucky has a friendly relationship with all 50 states conceal carry licenses, including non-resident licenses issued by other states. Check out the state website which has more information on reciprocity.

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Kentucky: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

State parks
State and national forests
Road side rest areas
Vehicle
All areas of the state – except those listed as off limits

Places Not Allowed

Any police station or sheriff’s office
Any detention facility, prison, or jail
Any courthouse, courtroom, or court proceeding
Any meeting of the governing body of a county, municipality, or special district
Any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly
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
Any elementary or secondary school facility
Any child-caring facility, day-care center, or certified family child-care home
State and local governments have the authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them
Colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges have the authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them
An area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Kentucky: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

YES – WITHOUT A LICENSE Kentucky has no laws prohibiting open carry. When open carrying you should be prepared for Police Officers to question you as open carrying a firearm will attract their attention. The minimum age to open carry is 18 years. Kentucky has released a white paper on open carry which can be viewed by clicking on the link.

Carry In Vehicle

YES – WITHOUT A PERMIT Kentucky allows any person not prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle in any closed container, compartment, or storage space 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 the enclosed container, storage space, or compartment is locked, unlocked or does not have a locking mechanism. The Law KRS 27.020

Carry In State Parks

YES

You are permitted to carry in the following areas; State Parks: YES State/National Forests: YES State Wildlife Management Areas: YES – 301 KAR 3:010 Road Side Rest Areas: YES

Carry In Restaurants

YES

In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol You are not permitted to carry in an establishment that’s primary business is to serve alcohol. You can carry in a restaurant but not in the bar area as long as the restaurant is not posted with a “No Weapons” sign. The Law KRS 237.110 KRS 244.125 – prohibits loaded firearms (concealed or otherwise) in places where alcohol is sold by the drink, except for certain specified exceptions.

Constitutional Carry

There is no constitutional carry in Kentucky.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

NO/YES “No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in Kentucky gun laws. However, the law does authorize any private business to ban concealed carry on their premises, this does not include open carry though. Facilities that lease or rent housing are not permitted to restrict concealed carry. Private employers can prohibit their own employees from concealing a handgun or other weapons in company owned vehicles but not vehicles that are owned by an individual. State and local government employers can ban the carry of weapons within their buildings but not in vehicles.

Must Notify Officer

There is nothing in Kentucky gun laws that states you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business. You are required by law to carry your permit at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun. The Law KRS 237.110