Carrying a concealed deadly weapon

Kentucky allows a person 21 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon without a license. Limits remain on who may carry and where.

Permitless carry and the optional license

Permitless carry under KRS 237.109 is allowed in the same places a license holder may carry. Kentucky State Police still issue licenses under KRS 237.110. An applicant must pass a background check and complete firearms training, and a license lasts five years. A common reason to get one is travel, because other states may honor a Kentucky license under reciprocity agreements. Since July 15, 2026, the law also provides a provisional license, valid until age 21, for a person aged 18 to 20 who meets the other requirements.

“Deadly weapon” covers more than guns. It includes knives other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife, clubs, blackjacks, nunchaku and artificial knuckles.

Who may not possess firearms

• A person convicted of a felony, unless pardoned or granted federal relief. Possession is a Class D felony, or a Class C felony if the firearm is a handgun.
• A person under 18 may not possess a handgun, with exceptions such as hunting and target shooting.
• Anyone barred by federal law.

Places where carrying is restricted

A license does not authorize carrying a concealed firearm into the following places, and permitless carry follows the same limits:

• Police stations, sheriff’s offices, jails, prisons and detention facilities.
• Courthouses used solely by the courts, courtrooms and court proceedings.
• Meetings of a city, county or special district governing body, or of the General Assembly.
• The part of a business mainly devoted to serving alcohol for drinking on site.
• Elementary and secondary schools, child-caring facilities and day-care centers.
• Secured areas of airports, and anywhere federal law prohibits firearms.

Having a weapon on school property is a Class D felony under KRS 527.070, with limited exceptions. Colleges may control weapons on their property. State and local governments may restrict concealed carry in the parts of buildings they own, lease or control if signs are posted. Private businesses may prohibit it too, and a person who ignores the rule can be told to leave.

The offense

Carrying a concealed deadly weapon in violation of KRS 527.020 is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to 12 months in jail. It is a Class D felony for a person with a prior felony conviction involving a deadly weapon. The offense does not apply on real property you own or lease. A weapon in a factory-installed vehicle compartment, such as a glove box or console, is not treated as concealed.