Kentucky Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for Kentucky Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact Kentucky gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to Kentucky can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

Kentucky State Constitution

All men are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned: … Seventh: The right to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the State, subject to the power of the General Assembly to enact laws to prevent persons from carrying concealed weapons.

Kentucky Constitutional Provision Bill of Rights, Section 1, 7th Part: Rights of life, liberty, worship, pursuit of safety and happiness, free speech, acquiring and protecting property, peaceable assembly, redress of grievances, bearing arms.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All men are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned:

First: The right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties.

Second: The right of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.

Third: The right of seeking and pursuing their safety and happiness.

Fourth: The right of freely communicating their thoughts and opinions.

Fifth: The right of acquiring and protecting property.

Sixth: The right of assembling together in a peaceable manner for their common good, and of applying to those invested with the power of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.

Kentucky Constitutional Provision Bill of Rights, Section 1, 1st - 6th Part: Rights of life, liberty, worship, pursuit of safety and happiness, free speech, acquiring and protecting property, peaceable assembly, redress of grievances, bearing arms.

All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety, happiness and the protection of property. For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may deem proper.

Kentucky Constitutional Provision Bill of Rights, Section 4: Power inherent in the people; right to alter, reform, or abolish government.

Kentucky Gun Laws

Kentucky Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
Kentucky Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
Kentucky Qualifications For A CCDW License (Source: Kentucky State Police)
Kentucky CCDW Frequently Asked Questions (Source: Kentucky State Police)

Kentucky Hunting Rules & Regulations

Kentucky Hunting (Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources)
Kentucky Hunting Regulations (Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources)
Kentucky Hunting License and Permit Fees (Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources)
Kentucky Online Licensing and Permit Agent (Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources)
Kentucky Hunter Education (Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources)

Kentucky Shooting Ranges

Kentucky Public Lands Hunting (Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

Kentucky Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

Kentucky NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

Kentucky NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
Kentucky "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

Kentucky State Firearm & Hunting Associations

League of Kentucky Sportsmen (NRA-Affiliated)
Kentucky Rifle Association
Kentucky Rifle & Pistol Association
Safari Club International Kentuckiana Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Kentucky Ducks Unlimited Chapter
Kentucky Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
Kentucky Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
Kentucky NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
Kentucky Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

Kentucky Gun Shows and FFLs

Kentucky Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
Kentucky Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
Kentucky FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

Kentucky's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

Kentucky Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Kentucky Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

Kentucky Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

Kentucky State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
Kentucky State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
Kentucky Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
Kentucky Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

Kentucky State Business Tax Climate Rankings

Kentucky State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in Kentucky (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo