STATE
KENTUCKY GUN LAWS
Kentucky’s lack of basic gun safety laws and adoption of reckless, gun lobby–backed policies critically endangers public safety.
Scorecard Grade
Kentucky allows any person 21 years or older who is legally able to purchase a firearm to carry it concealed in public, without a permit or background check. In 2024, Kentucky had the 13th highest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 880 people die from gun violence in the state. That means that someone dies from gun violence every 10 hours. Sixty-one percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 34% are gun homicides. In Kentucky, the rate of gun deaths increased 21% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE KENTUCKY’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What Kentucky Does Well
- Certain child access prevention laws
What Kentucky Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Concealed carry permit
- Open carry regulations
- Community violence intervention funding
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?