Kentucky Gun Laws (by H. Gera Meyman, Esq.)

The Commonwealth of Kentucky permits concealed carrying of a firearm, pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 527.020, provided that the person carrying the firearm meets certain requirements as laid out in KRS 237.109, 237.110, and 237.115. You can access the text of Kentucky laws via Google search.

You need to follow both Federal and Kentucky law when you are carrying a gun within the Commonwealth. KRS 237.109(2). You need to be at least twenty-one (21) years old. KRS 237.109(1) and KRS 237.110(4)(c). There are various detailed requirements for a concealed carry permit, including an eight (8) hour class, that you can (and should!) read about in KRS 237.110. However, a few of the requirements are more interesting and stick out more than the others. For instance, you can’t owe child support that equals or exceeds a year of nonpayment, provided the Kentucky State Police (KSP) has been notified of the child support arrearage the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. KRS 237.110(4)(f). This seems like sound policy, to be honest. Pay your child support before you think about splurging on that fancy new gun.

The quirky part of Kentucky’s concealed carry requirements is that in order to obtain a concealed carry permit, you have to either be a member of the armed services or assigned to a military post, or to simply be a resident of the Commonwealth. However, it does not define “resident” on the face of KRS 237.110. In fact, nothing in Chapter 237 appears to define “citizen.” I am not pointing any fingers here but this seems like an oversight.

As always, in addition to Federal and state law, you should check your local or municipal laws and regulations to make sure you are fully in compliance. It’s a lot easier to do the homework than the time. However, make no mistake: the Commonwealth has tremendous respect for the Second Amendment. According to KRS 527.020(4), any person or organization who tries to violate the rights of an otherwise lawful concealed carry holder can be sued for damages (money) or other relief in a Circuit Court or District Court of competent jurisdiction.

Kentucky District Courts handle, among other things, matters that are worth $5,000 or less. Kentucky Circuit Courts handle matters worth more than $5,000. The Small Claims Division of District Court handles matters valued at $2,500 or less. Each Kentucky County has a District Court and a Circuit Court. If someone tries to abridge your concealed carry rights and you want to take them to court for it, start with the court system of the county in which the violation occurred. Be sure not to confuse a state-level District Court with U.S. District Court. They are completely different and sometimes they are very close together.

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