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 |
Friday, March 4, 2005
A bear hunting season looms in Kentucky`s future--when wildlife managers can know that a certain number of bruins ...
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
They are pawing at porches, rooting through garbage and menacing pets. Enough black bears have been spotted in ...
Friday, February 18, 2005
A bill addressing the current backlog of concealed weapons permit renewal applications with the Kentucky State Police passed ...
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
After being notified that the burglar alarm in his Bowling Green, Ken., pharmacy had activated, Carroll Bevarly went ...
Monday, August 2, 2004
As his bus tour rolls through blue-collar and Republican-leaning districts, Kerry has repeatedly described how he began a ...
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Shooters from the Marksmanship Unit--founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 to improve Army shooting skills--have won 20 Olympic ...
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
(FAIRFAX, VA) -- The National Rifle Association (NRA), the nation`s oldest civil rights organization, has chosen Louisville, Kentucky, ...
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Local zoning restrictions on federally licensed gun dealers and manufacturers would be lifted, and they could operate alongside ...
Monday, March 22, 2004
SB 95, the bill that prohibits cities and counties from using their zoning laws to discriminate against gun ...
Monday, March 1, 2004
SB 95, sponsored by Senator Albert Robinson (R-21), passed unamended by the Senate by a vote of 33-4.