Kentucky Gun Laws: Carry and Rights from the Bluegrass to the Appalachian Mountains

Constitutional Carry, Open Carry Traditions, Private Sale Freedom & Reciprocity in the Bluegrass State

In Kentucky, firearms are a foundational part of the culture, celebrated everywhere from the Knob Creek range to the hunting camps of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The state’s laws are highly permissive, allowing permitless concealed carry for any law-abiding adult. Kentucky also has a long tradition of open carry and maintains no state registry or background check requirements for private transactions. This category provides details on Kentucky’s “Stand Your Ground” statutes, carrying in state parks, and the state’s strong preemption over local city ordinances in Louisville and Lexington.