Private sales of firearms

According to Kentucky law K.R.S. 237.104, As long as the person is able to legally own a gun, they can also legally sell any firearm that they own and do not need a license to do so. With that being said, there are those who are prohibited from buying and the seller should be aware of this. 

Prohibited from Buying

There are certain conditions under which individuals are unable to own or buy a gun - according to 18 U.S.C. sec 922(g)(8):

• is under indictment for, or has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;

• is a fugitive from justice;

• is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802));

• has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution;

• who, being an alien—

  • is illegally or unlawfully in the United States; or

  • except as provided in subsection (y)(2), has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(26)));

• who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;

• who, having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his citizenship;

• is subject to a court order that restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child, except that this paragraph shall only apply to a court order that—

  • was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had the opportunity to participate; and

    • includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of such intimate partner or child; or

    • by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury; or

• has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Firearm registration in Kentucky

Kentucky is a state that does not require its citizens to register their firearms with any central authority. 

Concealed carry requirements 

Kentucky allows its citizens to carry a concealed weapon in the state without a permit but they do need to be at least 21 years old before it’s allowed. With that being said, the state does offer a permit for those who want to be officially licensed. 

The application process 

1. Fill out an application which can be obtained from the sheriff’s office in the county of the applicant 

2. Submit proof that the applicant has completed a firearm safety training course and a colored photo in the style of passports. 

3. Go to the county sheriff’s office and submit the application in person. Conversely, it can be submitted online using Kentucky State Police Portal.

4. Pay the associated fee

5. Wait for the verdict of the application which will be communicated within 60 days. 

If someone is moving from another state to Kentucky or visiting then Kentucky will recognize their concealed carry permit from any state in the union