Kentucky gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes, for eligible adults 21+
- 21+ and able to lawfully possess a firearm (KRS 237.109).
- Open carry: Allowed without a license for people who may lawfully possess a firearm. KSP says no statutes govern open carry except school property (KRS 527.070) and a ban on loaded firearms where alcohol is sold by the drink (244.125). Adults 21+ may also carry concealed without a license. Source
- Permits: Kentucky permit guide
Vehicle transport
No license needed. A loaded or unloaded firearm in any factory-installed enclosed compartment (glove box, console, seat pocket), locked or not, is not considered concealed. This doesn't apply to people prohibited from possessing firearms (KRS 527.020(8)). Source
Places where carry is banned
Concealed carry is barred at police stations and sheriff's offices, jails and prisons, courthouses, local government and General Assembly meetings, bar areas of alcohol-licensed premises, K-12 school facilities without consent, child-care facilities, airport secured areas, and federally prohibited places. Governments and colleges may restrict carry on their property. Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban
Duty to inform
Not confirmed. Check with Kentucky State Police (through county sheriff).
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).
Red-flag law
No extreme risk protection order law.
Reciprocity
Kentucky honors out-of-state licenses from states on the KSP reciprocity list.
The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.
Sources
- wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov
- www.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov
- giffords.org
- giffords.org
- giffords.org
- www.ncsl.org
- www.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov
- apps.legislature.ky.gov
- www.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.