Kentucky Gun Laws In the state of Kentucky gun laws do not require an individual
to have a permit before purchasing rifles, shotguns, or handguns. The
law also states that no registration is necessary for rifles, shotguns,
or handguns. The owner licensing of rifles, shotguns, and handguns is
not necessary in Kentucky. Shotguns and rifles do not require a permit
in order to be carried but handguns do require permits to be carried.
Federal law states that Kentucky Revised Statutes permits the purchase
of any firearm from licensed manufacturers, collectors, dealers, and
importers. Purchasers are, however, required to be United States
citizens and residents of the state of Kentucky's Commonwealth.
Firearms can also be purchased without permit from unlicensed Kentucky
individuals or those of other states.
Carrying Firearms Kentucky does not allow any individual to carry a concealed
firearm on his or herself, as it is illegal. Kentucky defines a
concealed weapon as having a firearm about the body or in a near reach
where it can be accessed with physical ease. Unlike other states, it is
also illegal to carry a concealed weapon in personal dwelling areas or
premises. Only those who have been issues legal licenses to carry
concealed weapons are allowed to do so, including on-duty company
messengers, police officers, on-duty United States mail carriers, and
on-duty company agents. Any firearm that is hidden under a driver's
seat is considered concealed, which makes carrying a firearm in a car
illegal if located here. Firearms that are within an unlocked or locked
glove compartment are not illegal, as this is not considered to be
concealed by the state of Kentucky.
Issuing Kentucky Firearms Acquiring a concealed weapons permit requires several
conditions. These include being a United States citizen and a Kentucky
resident for more than six months; being on active duty in Kentucky for
the Armed Forces; being at least twenty-one-years-old; being eligible
through the federal and state law to possess a firearm; not being a
justice fugitive, not having been indicted, convicted, or imprisoned
for at least one year; having no adjudication record; having no
involuntary commission to institution for mental health; having no
misdemeanor offense under domestic violence; having not been imprisoned
from controlled substance abuse; having not been convicted of a
controlled substance misdemeanor in three years; not having outstanding
convictions of two or more operating under the influence of alcohol
charges within three years; having been compliant with child support
warrants and subpoenas; or having not been convicted of a third-degree
terrorist threat or fourth-degree assault within three years.
All those applying for concealed weapons must show competence towards
firearms and must complete a safety test through the Criminal Justice
Training Department. This course will not exceed eight hours, will
include handgun instruction--including safety, care, marksmanship, and
cleaning--will have safe range firing for less than twenty rounds at
different targets, and will have copies of Kentucky laws for carrying
and possessing firearms. An application for a concealed weapons permit
includes a fee of sixty dollars.