Open Carry in Kentucky

Allowed. Kentucky State Police states there are no Kentucky statutes governing open carry by persons who lawfully possess firearms, except the ban on weapons on school property (KRS 527.070) and the ban on loaded firearms where alcohol is sold by the drink (KRS 244.125). A person under 18 may not possess a handgun except in listed situations (safety courses, ranges, competitions, licensed hunting, property with adult and parental permission, home self-defense with parental permission).

A loaded or unloaded firearm is not considered concealed if it is in an enclosed container, compartment or storage space installed by the vehicle manufacturer (glove compartment, center console, seat pocket), locked or not, so anyone not barred from possessing firearms may keep one there without a license. Adults 21 and over may also carry concealed without a license. No person or organization, public or private, may prohibit a person from keeping a firearm in a vehicle in compliance with these rules. On school property, an adult who is not a secondary pupil may keep a firearm in the vehicle if it is not removed or brandished.

A license (or permitless carry) does not authorize concealed carry into: police stations or sheriff's offices; detention facilities, prisons or jails; courthouses solely occupied by the Court of Justice, courtrooms or court proceedings; meetings of a county, city or special-district governing body or of the General Assembly or its committees (members excepted); the portion of an establishment licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises drinking that is primarily devoted to that purpose; elementary or secondary school facilities without school consent, child-care facilities, day-care centers and certified family child-care homes; secured areas of airports; and places where federal law bans firearms. Possessing any firearm on K-12 school property, buses or grounds is a felony (with exceptions such as adults keeping a firearm in their vehicle). Colleges and universities may control weapons on their property, and state and local governments may ban concealed weapons in the parts of buildings they occupy if posted (no criminal penalty; violators may be removed). Private businesses, day-care centers and health-care facilities may prohibit concealed carry by posting signs; carrying there is not a crime but can lead to removal.