Kentucky Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No |
The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. Kentucky only honors permits or licenses from individuals 21 years of age or older. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | Enacted |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Partial Ban |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Outright Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Antiques and Replicas
Kentucky statutes are silent on antique and replica firearms. They are treated as ordinary firearms for possession and carrying purposes. |
Carrying
The open carry of a handgun is lawful except in certain restricted areas. MORE |
Machine Guns
It is lawful to possess, purchase, or sell a machine gun that is legally registered and possessed in compliance with all federal laws and regulations. |
Miscellaneous
It is unlawful to remove, deface, cover, alter or destroy the manufacturer’s serial number or other mark of identification on any firearm. MORE |
Possession
No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. |
Preemption
The regulation of firearms and ammunition is completely reserved to the state legislature. MORE |
Purchase
No state permit is required to purchase a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. MORE |
Range Protection
No shooting range shall be or shall become a nuisance, either public or private, solely as a result of changed conditions in or around the locality of the range if the range has been in operation for one (1) year... MORE |
Sources: Ky.Rev.Stat §§ 65.045; 237.020 et seq.; 411.155; 527.010 et seq |
Thursday, February 23, 2006
HB 236, a bill allowing people to defend themselves from criminal intrusions rather than retreating passed the House ...
Friday, February 17, 2006
After defeating amendments proposed by anti-gun legislators, House Bill 290, the “Gun Owner Protection Act,” sponsored by Representative ...
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The privacy of people with Right-to-Carry permits is protected by a provision of a bill passed by the ...
Friday, February 10, 2006
Sponsored by Representative Carolyn Belcher (D-72), HB 290, the “Gun Owner Protection Act,” passed the House Judiciary Committee ...
Friday, February 10, 2006
Gun-rights activists want to protect people from being prosecuted for bringing firearms onto school grounds that don't display ...
Thursday, February 9, 2006
Names of Kentuckians with permits to carry concealed weapons would be kept confidential, under a proposal before the ...
Friday, February 3, 2006
Sponsored by Representative Carolyn Belcher (D-72) HB 290, the "Gun Owner Protection Act," will be heard in the ...
Monday, August 22, 2005
One hundred hunters, including 10 from Jefferson County and 10 from out of state, were drawn at random ...
Monday, June 20, 2005
Prosecutors and police in three southern Kentucky counties will take part in an expanded effort to reduce gun ...
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
In March, wildlife officials in both Kentucky and Virginia launched efforts to open their state`s archery seasons to ...