The following comes to us from local blogger, GreatBlueWhale.
Welcome to Commonwealth of Kentucky, home of the lowest Brady rating in the nation (tied with Oklahoma), and welcome to what I lovingly call the Democratic People’s Republic of Louisville (DPRL). As you travel to our fair environs, first and foremost in your mind may be the question, “What do I need to know about firearms laws in the Bluegrass State? Well, Kentucky laws are your only concern. Though it grieves the DPRL, except for very limited exceptions local firearms regulation is prohibited.
All Federal restrictions regarding limitation of open or concealed carry are, of course, in force in Kentucky.
Though legal in most areas, open carry is not common in the DPRL, and may generate interest from law enforcement personnel.
Carrying a concealed weapon is, with few exceptions, a Class A misdmeanor in Kentucky unless you are in an exempt group, peace officers, etc., or licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon.
Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property is a Class D Felony punishable by a maximum of five (5) years in prison and a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) fine. Possession of a weapon in your vehicle is not necessarily a violation of this statute.
Unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun is a Class D felony.
If you have a valid concealed carry permit or license from any state, Kentucky recognizes it. It doesn’t matter if your state doesn’t recognize a Kentucky license. Kentucky doesn’t hold it against you. If you are a full-time paid peace officer or elected Sheriff, you may carry without a permit on or off duty IF your state accords a Kentucky full-time paid peace officer the same rights by law. If your state only allows a Kentucky officer to carry on duty, then that restriction applies to you in Kentucky.
You don’t have to have a concealed carry permit or license to carry a firearm in the glove compartment of your vehicle. It is deemed not concealed by the statute. The Kentucky Supreme Court has determined that this does not mean a console between the seats or any other compartment in your vehicle. It must be the manufacturer’s designated glove box or glove compartment.
If you patronize establishments serving adult beverages, you need to read this. You may not carry a loaded concealed firearm in a bar. This may also apply to some restaurants which sell liquor or wine by the drink. In addition to any criminal charges which may ensue, you will lose your firearm if found guilty of violating this law.
When are you legally justified in using force, including deadly force, in Kentucky? I will not summarize here. If you plan on carrying a firearm in Kentucky, you need to read and understand KRS 503.00, paying particular attention to Section .070, paragraph 2. This statute also states “A person does not have a duty to retreat if the person is in a place where he or she has a right to be.”
Colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges may control the possession of deadly weapons on any property owned by them. My understanding is that this includes banning weapons from personal vehicles, too. Local government units may also ban weapons within “that portion of a building actually owned, leased, or occupied by that unit of government, but they may not ban possession outside those buildings. For example, you may carry in a public park, but the buildings may be posted. However, no criminal penalty shall attach to carrying a concealed firearm with a permit at any location at which an unconcealed firearm may be constitutionally carried, and that includes post-secondary education facilities. If you do your job right and stay concealed, you shouldn’t have any issues. The statute is here.
A link to all the statutes above, and many more can be found on the left side of my blog, GreatBlueWhale. More information can be found on the website of the Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed (KC3) website.
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