Kentucky's New Permit-less Concealed Carry Law

[DrDoctor]

I didn’t know whether to put this topic in this forum, or in the forum pertaining to the Second Amendment. I read the topic here about Oklahoma, Arkansas, and South Dakota, all going to permit-less concealed-carry, much like Kansas, and several other states. Already have, so I made the decision (right or wrong) to place it here was correct/OK. If in fact, this is in the wrong forum, I trust those in charge will overlook my transgression, and move it to the appropriate forum on my behalf. Thank you.

I read yesterday that the Republican governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin, signed SB 150, making Kentucky the 16th state to allow permit-less concealed carry. It takes effect June, 2019. The only requirement to carry a firearm concealed in Kentucky is for the person be at least 21 yo, a resident of Kentucky, and not be a “prohibited person” with regard to NICS. An interesting aspect of the new Kentucky law is that no longer is any training program/course required. Further, there’s no fee for carrying (but doesn’t that seem obvious, as there’s no longer any permit, so what would they be paying for???).

Anyway, there does seem to be a positive movement afoot . . .

[Muss Muggins]

Here's a pretty good summary from a Lexington television station:

Fact Check | What you should know about Kentucky's permitless conceal carry law

I'm sure the "fee" confusion is mentioned as Kentucky, like other permitless carry states (Vermont being the main exception) will continue to issue permits to allow for out of state carry, and that process will remain unchanged. Being right at the corner of several states, three of them now offering permitless carry, we in the Bootheel were pretty excited. Lots of Bootheel folks have places on nearby Kentucky Lake . . .

[keith44spl]

Kantuckyans can open carry on their person and conceal a firearm
in any compartment original to their vehicle without any training.

The CCDW statute/program came about as the results of other
near by bordering states having licensed concealed carry.

The safety training requirement of the CCDW program,
was to satisfy reciprocity agreements with other jurisdictions.

Folks I have talk to, tell me that they will keep their CCDW licences for travel outside the Bluegrass.

As a KY Legislator once said, "We're just making it lawful...For what folks are doing anyway."

When I was working the road,
I just took it for granted everyone that was traveling was armed, or should've been.

.

[dockmurgw]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

Here's a pretty good summary from a Lexington television station:

Fact Check | What you should know about Kentucky's permitless conceal carry law

I'm sure the "fee" confusion is mentioned as Kentucky, like other permitless carry states (Vermont being the main exception) will continue to issue permits to allow for out of state carry, and that process will remain unchanged. Being right at the corner of several states, three of them now offering permitless carry, we in the Bootheel were pretty excited. Lots of Bootheel folks have places on nearby Kentucky Lake . . .

The OP states that residency is a requirement, but this article you linked to does not...I wonder which it is. Not that it matters to me, we always get the shaft as being the exception you mentioned. Anyway, congrats to you Kentuckians for your newly re-gained freedoms...its a wonderful thing to not need a permit.

[DrDoctor]

Gentlemen,
Great supplemental information!!! Thank You!!! Having read you remarks, the ability of Kentucky residents still having the option of obtaining a permit to carry concealed in other states is an excellent idea, but the article I read at the supermarket the other day made no mention of that

The article did mention the state-residency requirement, but given the situation with Kentucky’s neighboring states – I’m going to go with your comment, and that the article I was reading was in error on that aspect.

I understand (sort of . . .) the reasoning for eliminating the safety training requirement for concealed-carry, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I’m certainly no politician, nor an attorney, but why couldn’t Kentucky still require their residents to take a gun course without concern about whether their neighboring states do, or don’t???

Again, great information. Out of 51 jurisdictions (the states and D.C.), 16 are now permit-less concealed-carry – it’s a trend, and I wouldn’t call it a slow one, either. Rather, I’d refer to as a “calculated pace in the right direction”. Thanks again, everyone!!!

[ContinentalOp]

Originally Posted by DrDoctor

I understand (sort of . . .) the reasoning for eliminating the safety training requirement for concealed-carry, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I’m certainly no politician, nor an attorney, but why couldn’t Kentucky still require their residents to take a gun course without concern about whether their neighboring states do, or don’t???

Getting training is a good idea, but a couple of issues crop up when the idea of mandatory/govt-mandated training comes up: 1) I'm not aware of any evidence showing that such training actually improves safety; and 2) who determines the training requirement, i.e., what kind of hoops does someone have to jump through to exercise their right?

[kthom]

Originally Posted by DrDoctor

Gentlemen,
I understand (sort of . . .) the reasoning for eliminating the safety training requirement for concealed-carry, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I’m certainly no politician, nor an attorney, but why couldn’t Kentucky still require their residents to take a gun course without concern about whether their neighboring states do, or don’t???

Most states base their reciprociity agreements on the requirement that if granted, that state must have very similar requirements as their own. If a state does not have a training requirement seeks reciprocity with a state that does, it will usually not be granted. Kentucky, by doing away with their training requirement, opens the door for neighboring states to allow all of them to have reciprocity with each other and no issues.

The above is my considered opinion, of course. Call it a semi-educated guess!

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by DrDoctor

Gentlemen,
Great supplemental information!!! Thank You!!! Having read you remarks, the ability of Kentucky residents still having the option of obtaining a permit to carry concealed in other states is an excellent idea, but the article I read at the supermarket the other day made no mention of that

The article did mention the state-residency requirement, but given the situation with Kentucky’s neighboring states – I’m going to go with your comment, and that the article I was reading was in error on that aspect.

I understand (sort of . . .) the reasoning for eliminating the safety training requirement for concealed-carry, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I’m certainly no politician, nor an attorney, but why couldn’t Kentucky still require their residents to take a gun course without concern about whether their neighboring states do, or don’t???

Again, great information. Out of 51 jurisdictions (the states and D.C.), 16 are now permit-less concealed-carry – it’s a trend, and I wouldn’t call it a slow one, either. Rather, I’d refer to as a “calculated pace in the right direction”. Thanks again, everyone!!!

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has always been Open Carry since being admitted to the Union.
Concealed carry in vehicles lawful...No Training required.
(18 years or older to posses a handgun) (Concealed carry age is 21)

I just retired as of (1-1-19) as an CCDW instructor with the DOCJT.
The training course was designed with success built in...Two hour legal video,
25 multi-able answer test, range test, 11 in the black out of 20 on a B-21.

The safety training program is/was a cash cow for the state treasury,
one that Kentucky citizens no longer have to pay tribute to.

Of course, if one wants to travel outside of the Commonwealth as I do...
I'll jest keep paying for the privilege to travel freely among the red states.

.

[ISCS Yoda]

"Constitutional carry" is a wonderful thing but it carries different responsibilities than typical "permit" carry. As a matter of fact, here in Texas you can carry a handgun concealed in your motor vehicle so, for all intents and purposes, Texas is on the road to constitutional carry, pun not intended but I like it.

The main responsibility, which really follows all of gun ownership, is that you ought to not exercise this right without some form of training, and I'll include self training. Buying a handgun, sticking it in your belt, and heading out to do the day's business should be accompanied by first learning everything one can about gun safety, gun handling and, of course, gun shooting. Plus understanding self defense laws.

"Permit" systems require at least a modicum of training of some sort. And until it's a national thing, permits will be required for you to go armed from state to state.

So let's be careful out there.....

[Muss Muggins]

Only Vermont, which doesn’t issue CCW permits in any form or fashion, has true constitutional carry. All other free states have what is more properly termed permitless carry. They issue permits to facilitate out of state carry, and having a permit generally affords one more privileges with regard to instate carry. In the Show Me State, for instance, a CCW permit allows one to concealed carry in more places, and to open carry in municipalities prohibiting it otherwise. Therein lies the distinction, and the difference . . .

[keith44spl]

Just as a side note.....
Kentucky's Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons License (CCDW)

The Kentucky CCDW license allows for the concealed carry of
handguns and a wide range of other weapons such as knives,
brass knuckles, blackjacks, shuriken, nunchaku, and clubs .

So the Commonwealth has your concealed carry needs purty much covered.


.

[ISCS Yoda]

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Just as a side note.....
Kentucky's Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons License (CCDW)

The Kentucky CCDW license allows for the concealed carry of
handguns and a wide range of other weapons such as knives,
brass knuckles, blackjacks, shuriken, nunchaku, and clubs .

So the Commonwealth has your concealed carry needs purty much covered.


.

Florida's "CCW" law back in the 1980s was exactly as stated, Concealed Carry Weapon. Any weapon, anytime, concealed, was permitted. Probably still is.

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda

Florida's "CCW" law back in the 1980s was exactly as stated, Concealed Carry Weapon. Any weapon, anytime, concealed, was permitted. Probably still is.

Probably pattern after FL's CCW....

.

[Shield 9 WV]

West Virginia is also a constitutional carry state.

The WV legislature had been controlled by democrats since 1935 and the first thing the republicans did when they took control of the state legislature in May 2016 was pass a constitutional carry law.

The WV CCW is called a "Concealed Pistol/Revolver Permit" commonly called a CPL, Concealed Pistol License (I have a License number). It's goofy.

I've not been pulled over in this century but if I do I'm telling the LEO I have a CCW. He'll know what it is.

[shouldazagged]

I'll keep my Kentucky concealed carry license current--have to renew it next year.

Travel is almost impossible for me these days, but if I do need to leave the state I want to be well received in states with reciprocity. Also, while presently I have no intention of buying an automatic knife, stun gun or collapsible baton, I want to be legal carrying it if I do.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has always been Open Carry since being admitted to the Union.

That was 1 June, 1792, so open carry here goes back a ways.

[gman51]

The SCOTUS should rule this in every state since the 2nd says it is every citizens right to bare arms. I would say requiring a permit to carry is infringing on the 2nd.
Kudos to the 16 and I hope all the other states follow along.

[two-bit cowboy]

As always in discussions of law and legal matters, I go to the source and DON'T trust the media to interpret anything for me (I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I do hold a BA in journalism, which is how I learned not to trust journalists).

Here's Kentucky Senate Bill 150 (click "Current/Final" under the "Bill Documents" tab).

19RS SB 150

Amid the legal mumbo-jumbo you find in any state's rulings, Kentucky seems to have limited the limitations some other states tag onto this sort of ruling. Kudos to the legislators for that.

[dave1918a2]

My old gun show buddy is leaving for Kentucky as His kids live there. Wish this could happen in Colorado, but We'll be lucky to retain licensed CCW with the people in charge here.