Kentucky State Police: Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons (Text Only)

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Home > Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons

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[Text Only Main] [About the Kentucky CCDW License]
[Qualifications for a CCDW License] [Application Process]
[Judicial Special Status/Certified Peace Officer CCDW License]
[Restrictions on Carrying by Qualified License Holders] [Frequently Asked Questions]
[States/Territories and Reciprocity Status to Kentucky CCDW]

Concealed Deadly Weapons

The Kentucky State Police was authorized by KRS 237.110 to issue and renew licenses to carry concealed firearms or other deadly weapons, or a combination thereof, to qualified persons.

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Qualifications for a CCDW License

The applicant for a carry concealed deadly weapon (CCDW) license must:

Be a resident of Kentucky for at least six months prior to filing the application or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is on active duty, who is at the time of application assigned to a military posting in Kentucky, and who has been assigned to a posting in Kentucky for six months or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application; and
Be twenty-one (21) years of age or older; and
Not be under indictment for, or have been convicted of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; and
Not be a fugitive from justice; and
Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; and
Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective or have committed to a mental institution; and
Not have been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; and
Not be subject to a domestic violence order or emergency protective order; and
Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (see section below for discussion of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence); and
Not be prohibited from the purchase, receipt or possession of firearms, ammunition or both pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g), 18 U.S.C. 922(n), or applicable state law; and
Not have been committed to a state or federal facility for abuse of a controlled substance or convicted of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled substance within the three-year period immediately preceding the date the application was submitted; and
Not have two or more convictions for violating KRS 189A.010 (Operating motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substance which impairs driving ability) within the three (3) years immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted; and
Not have been committed as an alcoholic pursuant to KRS Chapter 222 or similar laws of another state within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted; and
Not owe a child support arrearage which equals or exceeds the cumulative amount which would be owed after one (1) year of nonpayment; and
Have complied with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings; and
Have not been convicted of a violation of KRS 508.030 (Assault in the fourth degree) or 508.080 (Terroristic Threatening in the third degree) within the three years immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted; and
Demonstrate competence with a firearm by successful completion of a firearms safety or training course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training.

NOTE - ONLY SOME OF THE OFFENSES LISTED ABOVE HAVE A THREE-YEAR LIMITATION. OTHER OFFENSES, SUCH AS FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOR CRIMES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DO NOT HAVE A TIME LIMIT. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, YOU ARE INELIGIBLE FOR A CCDW LICENSE AND ARE PROHIBITED FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM UNDER FEDERAL LAW, NO MATTER HOW LONG AGO YOU WERE CONVICTED.

Felony Convictions

If you have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, i.e., a felony, you are not only ineligible to possess a CCDW license; federal law prohibits you from possessing a firearm. Individuals subject to this disability should immediately lawfully dispose of their firearms and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recommends that individuals who have been convicted of a felony surrender their firearms and ammunition to a third party, such as their attorney, local police agency, or a federal firearms dealer. The continued possession of firearms or ammunition by persons under this disability is a violation of federal law and may subject the possessor to criminal penalties as well as seizure and forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition.

Diversion

Those on pretrial diversion for disqualifying offenses are not eligible for a CCDW license.

Misdemeanor Crimes of Domestic Violence (MCDV)

It is illegal under federal law for any person convicted of a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition (18 U.S.C. 922). A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(33) as an offense that:

Is a misdemeanor under federal or state law; and
Has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

The following misdemeanors under Kentucky law are deemed to be possible misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. If you have been convicted of any of the following offenses, your application must be reviewed to determine whether your offense involved domestic violence:

KRS 508.030 Assault in the fourth degree (note that this is a three year state disqualifier even if domestic violence was not involved).
KRS 508.040 Assault under Extreme Emotional Disturbance
KRS 508.120 Criminal Abuse in the third degree
KRS 509.030 Unlawful Imprisonment in the second degree
KRS 510.120 Sexual Abuse in second degree
KRS 510.130 Sexual Abuse in third degree
KRS 510.140 Sexual Misconduct
KRS 525.060 Disorderly Conduct
KRS 525.070 Harassment

Note that there is no three-year limitation as with state disqualifiers. If you have been convicted of any of the above offenses, a domestic violence determination must be made regardless of how long ago you were convicted. A domestic violence determination must also be made if you were convicted of similar misdemeanors in federal court or another state or territory. You are not disqualified, even if domestic violence was involved, if your conviction was expunged, set aside or pardoned. If your conviction is determined to be a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not only ineligible to possess a CCDW license; federal law prohibits you from possessing a firearm. Individuals subject to this disability should immediately lawfully dispose of their firearms and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recommends that individuals who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence surrender their firearms and ammunition to a third party, such as their attorney, local police agency, or a federal firearms dealer. The continued possession of firearms or ammunition by persons under this disability is a violation of federal law and may subject the possessor to criminal penalties as well as seizure and forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition.

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CCDW Application Process

An applicant for a CCDW license must complete an application form at the sheriff's office in his or her county of residence. The applicant must also pay the $60 application fee at the time of application (active and retired peace officers that meet the requirements of KRS 237.110(7) are exempt from paying the application or renewal fee). The sixty-dollar fee is to be allocated as follows:

Payment of twenty dollars to the sheriff of your county of residence.
A check or money order for forty dollars (the portion of the CCDW fee allocated to the KSP and the Administrative Office of the Courts by statute) payable to the Department of State Police. The KSP will collect the portion of the fee designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts on its behalf.
Applications that are not accompanied by a check or money order for forty dollars ($40.00) payable to the Department of State Police will be returned unprocessed to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence.

The application will be sent to the Kentucky State Police within five working days.

The application form, completed under oath, must include the following:
Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender and Social Security Number.
Recent color photograph: full head shot no smaller than 3 ½ x 4 nor larger than 4x5 inches.
A photocopy of a certificate or an affidavit or document certifying completion of a firearms training course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training.

The CCDW License Application - Citizenship Affidavit (KSP 131) must be completed and submitted to the sheriff of your county of residence to be attached to the application. You can download the KSP 131 by clicking here.

Renewal Process

Not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration date of a CCDW license, the Department of State Police shall mail to each licensee a written notice of the expiration and a renewal form. If you wish to renew your CCDW license, you must take the renewal notice, a CCDW License Citizenship/Immigration Status Affidavit and a color photograph to the Sheriff of your county of residence. You can download the CCDW License Citizenship/Immigration Status Affidavit (KSP 131) to be submitted with the renewal form to the Sheriff of your county of residence by clicking here. The photograph must be in color. The photograph must be no less than three and one-half (3 ½) inches by four (4) inches and no more than four (4) inches by five (5) inches. The photograph shall display the full front of the head and the facial features of the applicant. The applicant shall not wear sunglasses or attire that obscures their facial features in the photograph. The photograph shall be an original photograph or a photographic copy developed from the negative of an original photograph and must not be an image produced by a computer, copier or other copy machine. Digital photographs or their printed images are not acceptable.

If you fail to renew your license on or before the expiration date and wish to renew your license, you will be required to pay an additional late fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00).

To pay the renewal fee, you must submit a payment to the Sheriff in the amount of twenty dollars and a check or money order in the amount of forty dollars (fifty five dollars if the renewal application is submitted after the expiration date of the license) payable to the Department of State Police.

If six months or more has passed since the expiration date of your license, your license has permanently expired and cannot be renewed. If your license has permanently expired, you may reapply for licensure pursuant to KRS 237.110 by obtaining a CCDW application from the Sheriff of your county of residence.

Change of address/personal information

You are required to notify the Kentucky State Police within thirty days after the changing of a permanent address. Failure to do so is a noncriminal violation with a penalty of twenty-five dollars payable to the clerk of the District Court. To change or update your address, you must complete a Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons Licensee Request for Change of Personal Information (KSP 121) at the office of the Sheriff of your county of residence. Once completed, the Sheriff will forward the information to the Kentucky State Police.

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Restrictions on Carrying by Qualified License Holders

A concealed firearm or other deadly weapon SHALL NOT be carried in the following places:

Police station or sheriff's office.
Detention facility, prison or jail.
Courthouse (Court of Justice, courtroom or court proceeding).
County, municipal, or special district governing body meetings.
Meeting of governing body of a county, municipality, or special district.
General Assembly session, including committee meetings.
Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense beer or alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose.
Elementary or secondary school facilities (without the consent of school authorities).
Child-caring facilities, day care centers, or any certified family child care home.
Areas within an airport where restricted access is controlled by the inspection of persons or property.
Any place where federal law prohibits the carrying of a firearm.

In addition to the above restrictions, units of state and local governments and postsecondary education facilities (colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges) have the authority to limit the carrying of concealed weapons on property owned or controlled by them (KRS 237.115). You should check with units of state and local government as well as postsecondary education facilities prior to carrying a concealed weapon on their property.

Also, KRS 527.070 prohibits unlawful possession (whether carried openly or concealed) of a weapon on school property, except for certain specified exceptions. KRS 244.125 prohibits loaded firearms (concealed or otherwise) in places where alcohol is sold by the drink, except for certain specified exceptions.

In addition, Kentucky law does not prohibit the owners of private premises from excluding persons carrying firearms. Failure to vacate private premises when asked to do so could result in a criminal trespass charge.

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Judicial Special Status / Certified Peace Officer Licenses

There are two special categories of CCDW licenses: Judicial Special Status CCDW and Certified Peace Officer CCDW. These special categories require supplemental forms to be completed in addition to the application obtained at local sheriff's offices.

Judicial Special Status Licenses

The following positions as defined by KRS 237.110 are eligible for "Special Status" Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) License.

Commonwealth/Assistant Commonwealth Attorney
County/Assistant County Attorney
Circuit/District Judges
Appeals Court Judges
Supreme Court Judges
Retired Judges

You can download the Supplemental Affidavit for Judicial "Special Status" CCDW by clicking here. You can download the Judicial "Special Status" instruction form by clicking here.

Both documents provided in PDF format.

Certified Peace Officer CCDW

Pursuant to KRS 237.110 a full or part time peace officer who is currently certified as a peace officer by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council who is authorized by his or her employer or government authority to carry a concealed deadly weapon at all times and locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall be deemed to have met the training requirements and is exempt from paying the application or renewal fees. A retired peace officer that is a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, or County Employees Retirement System or other retirement system operated by or for a city, county, or urban-county in Kentucky shall be deemed to have met the training requirements and is exempt from paying the application or renewal fees.

You can download the Certified Peace Officer CCDW Supplemental form by clicking here. You can download the Certified Peace Officer CCDW supplemental instruction form by clicking here.

Both documents provided in PDF format.

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CCDW Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application fee?

Sixty dollars. You must prepare two payments. One payment, in the amount of twenty dollars, should be made to the sheriff of your county of residence. The second payment, should be a check or money order in the amount of forty dollars ($40.00), made payable to the Department of State Police. Applications that are not accompanied by a check or money order for forty dollars ($40.00) payable to the Department of State Police will be returned unprocessed to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence.

Is anyone exempt from the payment of the application fee?

Yes. Active peace officers currently certified by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council and retired peace officers who are members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System or other retirement system operated by or for a city, county or urban-county in Kentucky are exempt from the payment of the application fee.

What is the renewal fee?

Sixty dollars. You must prepare two payments. One payment, in the amount of twenty dollars, should be made to the sheriff of your county of residence. The second payment, should be a check or money order in the amount of forty dollars (fifty-five dollars if the renewal application is submitted after the expiration date of the license), made payable to the Department of State Police.

How long is the license valid?

Five years from the date of issuance unless suspended or revoked.

Is there a fine if I do not have my carry concealed deadly weapon license in my possession?

Yes, failure on the part of a license holder to have their CCDW license in their possession when carrying a concealed firearm or deadly weapon will result in a non-criminal violation punishable by a $25.00 fine.

For what reasons would a license be denied, suspended or revoked?

The reasons an application may be denied, or a license revoked or suspended, include the following:

Conviction of a felony.
Being under indictment for a felony.
Conviction of Assault in the fourth degree within the past three years.
Conviction of terroristic threatening in the third degree within the past three years.
Conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled substance within the past three years.
Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Being an unlawful user of, or being addicted to, any controlled substance.
Conviction of two DUIs within the past three years.
Commitment for alcohol or drug abuse within the past three years.
Adjudication as an incompetent or having been involuntarily committed to a mental institution.
An active emergency protective order or domestic violence order.
Owing a child support arrearage which equals or exceeds the cumulative amount which would be owed after one (1) year of nonpayment.
Failure to comply with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings.
Being a fugitive from justice.
Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces.
A discrepancy concerning the age or training requirements.
Being ineligible to purchase, receive or possess a firearm, ammunition or both under state or federal law.

Note - While some disqualifiers listed above have a three-year limitation, other disqualifiers, such as conviction of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do not have a time limitation.

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I am a Peace Officer from another state, can I carry my weapon concealed?

Only when necessary for your protection in the discharge of official duties. You may carry the weapon in your glove compartment.

I have recently moved, how do I notify the State Police of my new address?

Within thirty days after the changing of a permanent address you may fill out a form at your county Sheriff Office. The address will be changed and a new CCDW permit will be generated.

How will I be notified when it is time to renew my CCDW permit?

Ninety days prior to the expiration date of the license, a written notice of expiration and a renewal form shall be mailed to each licensee. The renewal form then shall be taken to your county Sheriff Office, along with a new photograph and fee.

How can I find a certified instructor for the required training class?

You can contact your local Sheriff Office and they will have a listing of all instructors in your area.

What weapons are covered under the CCDW license?

Any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or serious physical injury, may be discharged.
Any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife.
Billy, nightstick, or club.
Blackjack or slapjack.
Nunchaku karate sticks.
Shiriken or death star.
Artificial knuckles made from plastic, or other similar hard material.

How can I legally carry a gun in my vehicle without a CCDW license?

KRS 527.020 - "A deadly weapon shall not be deemed concealed on or about the person if it is located in a glove compartment, regularly installed in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer regardless of whether said compartment is locked, unlocked, or does not have a locking mechanism."

I am a Peace Officer from another state, can I carry my weapon concealed?

A full-time paid peace officer of a government agency from another state or territory of the United States or an elected sheriff from another territory of the United States may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, on or off duty, if the other state or territory accords a Kentucky full-time paid peace officer and a Kentucky elected sheriff the same rights by law. If the other state or territory limits a Kentucky full-time paid peace officer or elected sheriff to carrying a concealed deadly weapon while on duty, then that same restriction shall apply to a full-time paid peace officer or elected sheriff from that state or territory.

Other questions concerning this matter should be addressed with the KSP Legal Office at 502-695-6300.


I have recently moved. How do I notify the State Police of my new address?

You are required to notify the Kentucky State Police within thirty days after the changing of a permanent address. Failure to do so is a noncriminal violation with a penalty of twenty-five dollars payable to the clerk of the District Court. To change or update your address, you must complete a Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons Licensee Request for Change of Personal Information (KSP 121) at the office of the Sheriff of your county of residence. Once completed, the Sheriff will forward the information to the Kentucky State Police.


Some of the information listed on my CCDW license is incorrect. How do I notify the State Police of this?

To change or update your personal information, you must complete a Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons Licensee Request for Change of Personal Information (KSP 121) at the office of the Sheriff of your county of residence. Once completed, the Sheriff will forward the information to the Kentucky State Police.

How will I be notified when it is time to renew my CCDW license?

One hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration date of the license, a written notice of expiration and a renewal form shall be mailed to each licensee.

What if I fail to renew my CCDW license by the expiration date?

A licensee who fails to file a renewal application on or before the license expiration date may renew their license by paying, in addition to the license fees, a late fee of fifteen dollars ($15). No license shall be renewed six (6) months or more after its expiration date, and the license shall be deemed permanently expired six (6) months after its expiration date. A person whose license has permanently expired may reapply for a CCDW licensure pursuant to KRS 237.110.

How can I find a certified instructor for the required training class?

You can contact your local Sheriff Office and they will have a listing of all instructors in your area.

How do I obtain a replacement for a lost, stolen or destroyed license?

If your license is lost, stolen or destroyed you must complete a Request for Duplicate CCDW License (KSP 126) form at the office of the Sheriff of your county of residence and provide a check or money order, payable to the Department of State Police, in the amount of fifteen dollars ($15.00).

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LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SAFETY ACT (LEOSA)

Pursuant to KRS 237.110, 237.138, 237.140, 237.142 and 502 KAR 13:010 qualified honorably retired elected or appointed peace officers may apply for certification to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), 18 U.S.C. 926C. An applicant for a LEOSA license must complete an application form at the sheriff's office in his or her county of residence. Completed forms KSP 123 & KSP 124 should be provided by the applicant to the sheriff to be attached to the application.

The certification is valid for a period of one year. In addition to the application, each retired peace officer who desires certification to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to LEOSA is required to annually submit to the Kentucky State Police:

Evidence of retired status together with all information required by applicable federal and state laws and administrative regulations;
A notarized statement that the applicant is an eligible, retired peace officer and is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm (KSP Form 124). Licensees that are seeking renewal of their LEOSA certification may submit a copy of the KSP Form 124 that was previously provided with the licensee's original LEOSA application
Evidence of successful completion of firearms qualification required by KRS Chapter 237 including annually meeting the marksmanship qualification requirement for a retired peace officer established in KRS Chapter 237 (KSP Form 123). Visit the website of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training at http://docjt.jus.state.ky.us for information on available firing range dates.

There is no charge for submitting a LEOSA application. The Peace Officer Range Qualification Certification-LEOSA (KSP Form 123) must be completed and signed by the retired peace officer and the firearms instructor/trainer, as appropriate, in the places indicated. Once completed and signed, the form shall be returned to the retired peace officer to be attached to the completed application.

The Certification Of Law Enforcement Retirement-LEOSA (KSP Form 124) must be completed and signed by the retired peace officer and by the Commanding Officer (or their designee) of the agency from which the peace officer retired. Each signature must be separately notarized. (KSP RETIRED OFFICERS ONLY-after completion of the form and notarization of the signature of the retired KSP officer, the form should then be submitted to the KSP CCDW Section, 1250 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, which will then forward to the Commissioner for signing).

Once a LEOSA application for an honorably retired Kentucky peace officer has been processed and approved, both a CCDW license, valid for 5 years, and a Kentucky LEOSA license, valid for 12 months from the date of the most recent range qualification, will be issued to the applicant at no charge. A free CCDW license will not be issued to honorably retired peace officers from other states who currently reside in Kentucky since they are not exempt from payment of the application fee under KRS 237.110.

When a LEOSA application has been approved, the retired peace officer will be notified by mail. The LEOSA license must be accepted in person at the office of the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides.

If your license is lost, stolen or destroyed you must submit a REQUEST FOR DUPLICATE LEOSA LICENSE (KSP 127) to the Kentucky State Police .

Notify the Kentucky State Police of a change in your permanent address or other information on your license. To change or update your address or personal information, you must complete a Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Licensee Request for Change of Personal Information (KSP 120) form at the office of the Sheriff of your county of residence. Once completed, the Sheriff will forward the information to the Kentucky State Police.

Peace Officer Range Qualification Certification-LEOSA

You can download the Peace Officer Range Qualification Certification-LEOSA form by clicking here.

Document provided in PDF format.

Certification Of Law Enforcement Retirement-LEOSA

Pursuant to KRS 237.138- 237.142 and the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, Public Law 108-277 (LEOSA).

You can download the Certification Of Law Enforcement Retirement-LEOSA form by clicking here.

Document provided in PDF format.

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CCDW Reciprocity

Effective July 15, 1998, Kentucky recognizes valid carry concealed deadly weapons licenses issued by other states and, subject to the provisions of Kentucky law, a person holding a valid license from another state may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky.

Written inquiries regarding recognition of Kentucky carry concealed licenses have been made to all states and U.S. territories.

Certain other jurisdictions that recognize Kentucky carry concealed permits may limit the right to carry concealed to handguns only and not allow for the carrying concealed of other types of weapons. Also, the laws of other jurisdictions may differ from the laws of Kentucky regarding the circumstances under which you may legally carry a concealed weapon. You are advised to contact all other jurisdictions in which you intend to carry concealed weapons with questions regarding these issues.

Chart: State/Territory Responses on Reciprocity*